Tension Between Israel and the Vatican: Shortly after the announcement of Pope Francis’ death, Israel’s Foreign Ministry shared a brief message on X, stating, “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing.” However, this post was removed within hours without any explanation.
This deletion occurred amidst widespread global mourning for Francis, suggesting that it may reflect the strained relations that have developed between Israel and the Vatican, particularly due to Francis’ vocal criticism of Israel’s actions during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Foreign Ministry did not provide any comments regarding the removal of the post.
Typically, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prompt in offering statements on the deaths of significant international figures. In this instance, however, it took him four days to release a brief, 28-word message via the official Prime Minister account, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has remained silent. The only swift official condolences came from Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, who has a largely ceremonial position, praising Francis as “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion.”
Throughout most of Francis’ papacy, relations between Israel and the Vatican had been improving, notably highlighted by Francis’ visit to the Holy Land in 2014.
However, the situation changed drastically following Hamas’ deadly assault in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the current conflict in Gaza.
While expressing condolences for Israeli victims and hostages, Francis has characterized Israel’s ensuing military actions in Gaza and Lebanon as “immoral” and disproportionate. He has also called for an inquiry to assess whether Israel’s operations in Gaza could amount to genocide, a claim that Israel refutes, even as investigations by the U.N.’s highest courts are underway.
“Pope Francis condemned the events of October 7, but he was clear that those events do not justify the actions that have followed,” remarked Wadie Abunassar, who leads an organization representing Christians in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Abunassar described Pope Francis as a truthful friend, someone who speaks honestly even when the truth might be unwelcome.
Throughout the conflict, Francis has navigated a complex relationship with Israel while simultaneously condemning the severe casualties in Gaza, as noted by Amnon Ramon, a scholar specializing in Christianity in Israel and a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research. Francis had a particularly close rapport with Gaza’s local parish priest, who shares Argentine roots with the former pontiff.
Historically, Israel has maintained a tenuous relationship with the Vatican, stemming from resentment over the Vatican’s perceived inaction during World War II. Critics argue that Pope Pius XII remained silent during the Holocaust despite being aware of the Nazis’ extermination plans, while supporters contend he employed discreet diplomacy to save Jewish lives.
In the 1960s, the Vatican underwent significant changes, including a shift in its stance towards Jews, moving away from the long-held notion of their collective guilt for the crucifixion of Jesus, as explained by Ramon. The Holy See established formal diplomatic relations with Israel in 1993.
Christians represent less than 2% of the population in the Holy Land, with around 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank, and approximately 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department.
At the beginning of Francis’ papacy, ties with Israel warmed considerably. Francis’ 2014 visit to the Holy Land was among his first international trips, during which he met with then-Prime Minister Netanyahu. Former President Shimon Peres made several visits to the Vatican, including a joint visit with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to plant a peace tree in the Vatican Gardens.
However, the Israeli government’s shift to the right, along with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, has strained this relationship.
“Pope Francis expressed his views for the first time on October 8, the day after the war commenced, maintaining that war signifies defeat and does not lead to victory,” noted Rev. David Neuhaus, a local priest who acted as a spokesperson during the pope’s 2014 visit.
“He voiced significant concern for hostages, but emphasized that violence must cease, as Israel is employing force to achieve objectives that cannot be realized through such means.” Neuhaus added that Francis also met with the families of hostages held in Gaza and with Palestinians impacted by the war.
In an April 2023 interview with The Associated Press, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the leader of Catholics in the Holy Land, stated that Netanyahu’s far-right government has exacerbated conditions for Christians in Christianity’s birthplace, highlighting a rise in assaults against Christian sites, pilgrims, and religious leaders.
While world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to attend Francis’ funeral, Israel will only send its ambassador to the Vatican, a lower-ranking diplomat.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein explained that this decision was influenced by scheduling conflicts and the funeral occurring on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, which necessitates that Israeli officials remain nearby. He asserted that this choice does not reflect any underlying tension with the Vatican.
“Israel will be officially represented at the funeral through our ambassador,” Marmorstein stated. “There were differences in viewpoints, but we are participating in the funeral.”
“Pope Francis was one of Israel’s best friends, but Israeli leadership failed to fully grasp his perspective,” remarked Abunassar, coordinator of the Holy Land Christian Forum. Abunassar, a Catholic from Haifa, expressed frustration that the Israeli government had not extended official condolences beyond those from the president.
“The man was the leader of the world’s most significant church. He was a head of state. He has followers among individuals who are Israeli taxpayers. He deserves respect.”
Netanyahu has publicly expressed condolences for the deaths of other world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II and former President Jimmy Carter, who has been critical of Israel.
On Wednesday, hundreds gathered at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built atop the site where tradition holds Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected, for a special requiem mass in memory of Pope Francis.
Numerous representatives from Orthodox Christianity were also present, highlighting Francis’ strong advocacy for interfaith relations and his historic meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I in Jerusalem in 2014, which marked a significant thaw in relations between the two churches.
Neuhaus expressed hope that the next pope will carry forward Francis’ message.
“I hope for someone who emphasizes mercy, someone capable of uniting us all,” he stated. “We exist in a deeply divided and polarized world.”
