Israel has not attended the funeral of Pope Francis.
Israel expressed frustration with Pope Francis in November 2023 after he used the term “terrorism” to describe both Hamas’ October 7 attacks and Israel’s military response in Gaza during a general audience speech. The Pope had said:
“Terrorism should not be used to justify terrorism. Hamas’ October 7 attack was terrorism, but so is the killing of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, in Gaza.”
Israel’s Reaction:
- Accusation of Moral Equivalence – Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, criticized the Pope for seemingly equating Hamas’ deliberate targeting of civilians with Israel’s defensive actions, which they argue are aimed at Hamas militants while trying to minimize civilian casualties.
- Summoning the Vatican Envoy – Israel’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican ambassador) to express its displeasure, calling the Pope’s remarks “deeply regrettable” and arguing that they failed to distinguish between aggressor and defender.
- Emotional Response from Families of Victims – Relatives of Israeli hostages and victims of the October 7 attacks were particularly upset, feeling the Pope’s words diminished Hamas’ atrocities.
Vatican’s Position:
The Vatican maintained that the Pope was advocating for peace and condemning all violence against civilians, without taking sides. The Holy See has repeatedly called for humanitarian pauses, hostage releases, and a two-state solution.
- The Pope has been vocal about Palestinian suffering in past conflicts, which has sometimes strained Vatican-Israel relations.
- His remarks aligned with the Vatican’s traditional emphasis on “proportionality” in warfare under Just War doctrine, which Israel disputes applies to its Gaza campaign.
His positions regarding Palestine:
Palestinians and many in the Arab world hold Pope Francis in high regard because of his consistent advocacy for their rights, his criticism of Israeli military actions, and his calls for peace that often emphasize Palestinian suffering. Here are the key reasons why he is widely respected among Palestinians:
1. Strong Criticism of Israel’s War in Gaza
- The Pope has repeatedly condemned the high civilian death toll in Gaza, calling it “terrorism” and a “massacre.”
- He has referred to Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe” and criticized the destruction as “unacceptable.”
- Unlike many Western leaders, he has not framed the conflict as solely about Israel’s “right to defend itself,” instead focusing on Palestinian civilian suffering.
2. Calls for Ceasefire & Condemnation of Violence
- Francis has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, putting him at odds with Israel and its Western allies.
- He has labeled the war as “beyond war, it’s terrorism” (December 2023), resonating with Palestinians who feel the world ignores their plight.
- He organized prayer days for peace and hosted Palestinian Christians at the Vatican, giving them a platform.
3. Recognition of Palestinian Statehood & Solidarity
- The Vatican officially recognized Palestine as a state in 2015 under his leadership, ahead of most Western nations.
- He has met with Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas, multiple times, referring to him as an “angel of peace.”
- In 2021, he explicitly supported Palestinian self-determination, saying: “The Palestinians have a right to their own land.”
4. Humanitarian Focus & Emotional Appeals
- He has highlighted hunger, bombings, and displacement in Gaza, calling it “not a war but a slaughter.”
- In March 2024, he made an emotional plea: “Do we really think we’re building a better world by killing children?”
- The Vatican has donated aid to Gaza through Catholic charities, reinforcing his words with action.
5. Contrast with Western Leaders
- While the U.S. and Europe largely support Israel’s military campaign, the Pope has been one of the few global figures openly condemning the scale of destruction in Gaza.
- His moral stance—without political calculations—makes him a rare ally for Palestinians in the international arena.
Palestinian Reactions
- Hamas has praised him for his “balanced positions.”
- Palestinian Christians see him as a protector, especially as their communities shrink due to war and emigration.
- Arab media frequently highlight his statements, contrasting them with Western leaders’ support for Israel.
Pope Francis is admired by Palestinians because he speaks boldly against their suffering when many world leaders stay silent or back Israel. His calls for peace, recognition of Palestinian rights, and moral condemnation of war crimes align with their grievances, making him a rare high-profile ally in their struggle.
