The Israeli government has forced its representatives around the world to rescind condolences for the passing of Pope Francis. 

A message from the nation’s X account that read ‘Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing’ was taken down hours after it was posted in Monday, in response to the death of the 88-year-old Pope. 

Israeli media later reported the nation’s embassies and consulates across the globe were told to delete any similar messages, while diplomats were ordered not to sign condolence books in Vatican embassies. 

While Israel’s prime minister, Isaac Herzog, posted a still-available message of sorrowing for the death of the liberal pope, hardline prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stayed silent. 

Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis was one of the most powerful critical voices calling out Israel for its policy decisions that affected Palestinians. 

In November 2023, as Israel began its retaliatory offensive against the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’ deadly attack on October 7, the pontiff said of the IDF’s brutal military decisions: ‘This is not war, this is terrorism.’

The Israeli establishment did not react well to this comment, with the editor of the Jerusalem Post accusing the Pope of ‘unconditional support for Hamas.’

He also criticised the Israeli government’s decision not to allow the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, into the enclave. 

The body of Pope Francis is placed into St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where he will lie in state for three days

The body of Pope Francis is placed into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where he will lie in state for three days

While Israel's prime minister, Isaac Herzog, posted a still-available message of sorrowing for the death of the liberal pope, hardline prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) has stayed silent

While Israel’s prime minister, Isaac Herzog, posted a still-available message of sorrowing for the death of the liberal pope, hardline prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) has stayed silent

During his daily calls to the parish of the Holy Family in Gaza City, the Strip’s only Catholic church, he would draw attention to the harsh suffering of Palestinians under the yoke of Israel. 

In the infancy of his tenure as the leader of the Catholic Church, he visited the Wailing Wall in Bethlehem and prayed for the alleviation of the day-to-day struggles of the Palestinian people in the West Bank, which upset many in Israel. 

He was, though, known for his support of the nation, having frequently called on Hamas to release hostages it was holding and condemning the rise in antisemitism that the world saw in the wake of Israel’s invasion of Gaza. 

Israel’s diplomatic world hasn’t reacted kindly to the government’s decision to delete the sorrowful posts. 

One diplomat told local media: ‘We received no explanation, only an unequivocal order to delete.

‘When we asked, we were told that the issue was “under review.” This does not satisfy us, and certainly not the public to whom we represent Israel.’

‘Not only did we not say words of condolence, but we chose to erase them – and that looks bad,’ said another. ‘Very bad.’

It comes after more than 20,000 mourners yesterday formed eight-hour queues at the Vatican as they wait to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis. 

St. Peter’s Basilica was opened to the public so the faithful can say their final goodbyes to Francis as he lies in state for the next few days.

Pope Francis' body is carried in a coffin into Saint Peter's Basilica, on the day of its translation, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025

Pope Francis’ body is carried in a coffin into Saint Peter’s Basilica, on the day of its translation, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025

More than 20,000 mourners formed eight-hour queues at the Vatican as they wait to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis

More than 20,000 mourners formed eight-hour queues at the Vatican as they wait to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis

Thousands of people have already flooded the central aisle of the basilica, some crying and others taking a moment for prayer as they pass the pontiff’s open coffin.

Worshippers recalled waiting five hours just to enter St. Peter’s and said they then had to queue for another hour once inside the basilica, NBC News reports. 

Tens-of-thousands of people are currently queuing in three lines, but mourners say the queues are moving ‘fairly quickly’ as people usher out after paying their respects.

One woman told the news outlet that her final goodbye was brief, sharing how she just simply blew a kiss towards the pontiff’s open casket.

But Vatican sources told Sky News that the queue is currently taking eight hours to get through, meaning St. Peter’s could close at midnight before mourners in the back may get a chance to pay their respects.  

The timeframe for pilgrims to visit the pope’s body may be extended until beyond midnight today due to the large number of visitors, the Vatican said in a statement.

The basilica will reopen at 7am and remain open until at least midnight to allow as many people as possible to file past. The final day of lying in state will end at 7pm so that St. Peter’s can be prepared for Francis’ funeral mass on Saturday.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk