Israel deletes condolence message for Pope as Australian priests pay tribute to Francis

The diplomatic backlash comes as Australia’s Father Joseph Hamilton says Francis’ great testament was the message that ‘in a throwaway society, elderly people have value’.

Scenes at St Peter's Square, Vatican City on Tuesday, a day after the death of Pope Francis. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

A diplomatic furore has erupted over a deleted social media post about the death of Pope Francis.

Israel’s foreign ministry deleted condolence messages it had earlier posted on social media sites X, Facebook and Instagram and there has been silence about the Pope’s death from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This is believed to be in response to Francis’ repeated criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza where he accused Israel “of bombing children and mowing them down with machine guns”. He had said the conflict was “not a war” but instead was “cruelty” and accused Israeli actions of showing the characteristics of genocide.

Raphael Schutz, Israel’s former ambassador to the Vatican, told the Jerusalem Post that the decision to recall the posts honouring the Pope was “a mistake”.

“We shouldn’t keep score like this after someone’s death,” he said.

While many world leaders were sending public condolence messages and confirming attendance at Saturday’s funeral, including William, the Prince of Wales, Israel’s response was in contrast, starkly silent.

The Israeli foreign ministry, headed by Gideon Sa’ar had originally posted “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing.” But soon after the posts were withdrawn.

President Isaac Herzog issued a condolence message expressing hope that Francis’ memory would “inspire acts of kindness and hope for humanity”.

Mr Schutz said it was appropriate for Israel to take umbrage with the Pope at the time the remarks were made.

He added: “But now, we’re not only talking about a head of state, but also a spiritual leader for over a billion people — nearly 20 per cent of humanity. I don’t think silence sends the right message.”

The Pope’s funeral on Saturday coincides with the Jewish Sabbath and it is unclear if there will be an Israeli attendance.

Meanwhile at Domus Australia, the spiritual home of Australian Catholics in Rome, Father Joseph Hamilton said the Pope’s great testament was the message that “in a throwaway society, elderly people have value”.

Father Joseph said: “Just like Queen Elizabeth, he was working right up to 24 hours before he passed, and he showed that you still have value whether you’re 88 or 98”.

“I think that that’s a great testimony and it’ll be very important for us in the future.”

He said Francis, 88, was “very attenuated to the elderly” and he had been very grateful to Domus Australia for caring for a large ministry of elderly Italian locals. The Pontiff had also been caring when Cardinal George Pell was released from prison and had returned to Italy.

“I met him, of course, with Cardinal Pell when the cardinal returned to Rome after being released from prison,’’ Father Joseph said.

“He gave me a beautiful rosary for my mother, which mum still has. And then when Cardinal Pell passed, he wrote me a beautiful letter. And what was very nice about it was that he signed it off, ‘Fraternally Francis’.”

Father Joseph Hamilton at Domus Australia, the spiritual home of Australian Catholics in Rome. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

Father Joseph added: “Across the road in the bar, the owners, they were married here 56 years ago, they were baptised here. They made their holy communion here. They were confirmed here, and they’ll be buried from here. And so we take care of them, and that’s known in the city. And I think Holy Father was very grateful for us.”

Meanwhile Vatican News has reported that some of the Pope’s final words were to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, who had encouraged him to greet the crowds in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

The Pope told Mr Strappetti, “thank you for bringing me back to the square” after seeking reassurance from him “about managing it”. Francis then retired to rest, had a “peaceful” dinner and then after 5.30am on Monday morning the first signs of illness appeared, the Vatican News reported. Around 6.30am he waved to Mr Strappetti from his bed as a gesture of farewell before falling into a coma. He was declared dead an hour later at 7.35am.

“He did not suffer. It all happened quickly,” Vatican News said.

“It was a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm, for a pope who had always been very reserved about his health.”