Jerusalem | Israeli Foreign Ministry deletes pope condolences post.

The ministry refused to comment on its decision to post and then quickly deleted the post on X, which said: "Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing."

According to Israeli media, ambassadors, especially those serving in predominantly Catholic countries, were furious over the deleted post.

Pope Francis was critical of Israel's war in Gaza, and exceptionally close to the Catholic church there, but had also called on Hamas to release the hostages and condemned the rise in antisemitism.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not made any public comment on the pope's passing.