Israel's Foreign Ministry deleted a condolence message for Pope Francis after his death, revealing tensions between Israel and the Vatican over Francis' criticism of Israel's conduct during the war in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have been silent on the pope's passing, while Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, offered official condolences. Ties between Israel and the Vatican had steadily improved during Francis' papacy, but changed after the war in Gaza erupted. Christians make up less than 2 percent of the Holy Land's population.