Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences for the death of Pope Francis, three days after the event, highlighting underlying tensions between Israel and the Vatican. The delay was notable due to the Pope's outspoken criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, where he called for humanitarian aid and a ceasefire. Pope Francis, known for his advocacy for Gaza's Christian community and peace efforts, had previously suggested an investigation into whether the conflict constituted genocide, a statement that drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials. The late Pope had also historically recognized Palestine as a state, further straining relations. Despite the initial silence from Netanyahu's office, Israel's Foreign Ministry and other diplomats eventually conveyed their condolences through various channels, including social media and official books of condolences.

The delay in Prime Minister Netanyahu's condolence statement was significant due to the Pope's critical stance on Israel's military actions in Gaza, where he advocated for humanitarian aid and ceasefire.

Pope Francis was vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, consistently using his platform to call for international intervention and the release of hostages taken by militants.

In November 2024, Pope Francis published a book suggesting the Gaza conflict should be investigated as a potential genocide, which was met with strong backlash from Israeli officials who argued against the claim.

The Pope's recognition of the occupied territories as the State of Palestine during his 2014 visit to Israel and the West Bank added to the strained relations between the Vatican and Israel.

President Isaac Herzog quickly issued a statement mourning the Pope's death, contrasting with the delayed response from Netanyahu and the Foreign Ministry, which initially deleted its condolence post.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry faced criticism for its handling of the condolence message but later reaffirmed their respects with a public photo of the ambassador to the Holy See at the Vatican.

Pope Francis's engagement with the families of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas underscores his balanced approach to the conflict, despite his criticism of Israeli policies.