Pope Francis's Legacy: Tensions with Israel Persist

The timing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's condolences to Pope Francis's passing reflects ongoing tensions between Vatican officials and the Israeli government, particularly over Francis's stances on the Gaza conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended condolences on Thursday regarding the death of Pope Francis, a significant figure in the global Roman Catholic Church, more than three days after the announcement of his death. The late statement suggested underlying tensions between Israel and the Vatican, as Francis had openly criticized Israel's actions during the recent Gaza conflict, urging humanitarian cease-fires and aid access to the region.

In an official post shared on X, the Israeli Prime Minister's office expressed sincere condolences, stating, “The State of Israel expresses its deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and the Catholic community worldwide at the passing of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace.”

Interestingly, neither Netanyahu’s personal social media account nor the official Hebrew-language account for the Prime Minister mentioned the statement, as it is customary for him to release such messages shortly after the demise of world leaders.

Pope Francis frequently communicated with Gaza's Christian community, particularly during the recent military tensions. Throughout his papacy, he used platforms like major addresses to call for humanitarian aid access to Gaza, promoting peace, cease-fires, and the release of hostages. For instance, during his Easter address in 2024, he emphasized the plight of victims in ongoing conflicts, especially in Israel and Palestine, highlighting his compassionate approach to advocating for peace in the region.

Although this delay in expression reflects a complicated diplomatic relationship, it also underscores Pope Francis's significant role as a moral and spiritual leader, advocating for peace amidst a humanitarian crisis.