Foreign Ministry deletes X post expressing sorrow over pope’s death

The Foreign Ministry erases a post on its official X account expressing sorrow over the death of Pope Francis.

“Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing,” read the post. It was taken down hours later, and diplomatic missions around the world were ordered to take down any similar posts and not to sign condolence books in Vatican embassies, the Ynet news site reports.

Israelis diplomats are furious at the decision and the damage it caused.

“We received no explanation, only an unequivocal order to delete,” a diplomat tells Ynet. “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,” says another. “Very bad.”

A senior Foreign Ministry official tells the news site that the post went up “accidentally.”

President Isaac Herzog posted condolences on X, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been silent.

Francis became increasingly critical of Israel’s war in Gaza as time went on, often enraging Israeli officials and Jewish leaders.