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5d ago

Israel Deletes Condolence Post for Pope Francis, Orders Global Removal

The move reflects internal divisions and sensitivities over the late pontiff's criticism of Israel's Gaza campaign.

The coffin with the body of Pope Francis is carried into St. Peter's Basilica, where he will lie in state, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025. ALESSANDRO DI MEO/Pool via REUTERS
A nun attaches a black ribbon to a photo of Pope Francis following his death, at the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem's Old City, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Sinan Abu Mayzer
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Overview

  • Israel's official X account posted and then deleted a condolence message for Pope Francis, sparking questions about the decision.
  • Diplomatic missions were instructed to delete similar messages and refrain from signing Vatican condolence books.
  • President Isaac Herzog issued a separate condolence statement, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained silent.
  • The deletion highlights tensions over Pope Francis's criticism of Israel's Gaza operations, which he labeled as potential genocide and 'shameful.'
  • Israeli officials reportedly cited the pope's past statements against Israel as a factor in the deletion order.