The deletion of a condolence message by Israel's Foreign Ministry after Pope Francis' death reveals tensions between Israel and the Vatican over Israel's conduct during the war in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have remained silent on the pope's death, while the only official condolences came from Israel's president. Ties between Israel and the Vatican had improved during Francis' papacy, but the war in Gaza strained the relationship. The Israeli government's rightward shift and ongoing war with Gaza contributed to the tensions.