Pope Francis touches the wall that divides 'Israel' from the West Bank, on his way to celebrate a mass in Manger Square, in Bethlehem on May 25, 2014
Ex-'Israeli' ambassador calls Pope Francis anti-Semitic, urges funeral boycott
Dror Eydar, 'Israel's' former ambassador to Italy, has ignited controversy by accusing the late Pope Francis of antisemitism and advising the 'Israeli' government to abstain from participating in the pontiff's funeral.
Eydar's remarks, published in an interview with the 'Israeli' newspaper Maariv, come in the wake of Pope Francis's death on Monday at the age of 88.
Eydar criticized Pope Francis for his perceived limited support for 'Israel' and his sharp condemnation of 'Israeli' military actions in Gaza. "He spoke about the children of Gaza, not our children, and portrayed us as the villains of the world," Eydar stated, accusing the Pope of fueling global antisemitism. He further alleged that the Pope "continued to filter venom against us and accused us of genocide."
Drawing a controversial comparison, Eydar likened Pope Francis to Pope Pius XII, who has faced longstanding scrutiny over his silence during the Holocaust. "Pope Francis’ name was rivaled in the degree of his antisemitism only by Pius XII," he claimed. Eydar suggested that 'Israel' should be represented at the funeral only by a low-ranking official, to signal that "Jewish blood is not cheap."
Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff, was known for his advocacy for peace and humanitarian issues. In the final years of his papacy, he consistently spoke out about the war in Gaza, expressing concern for civilians and calling for peace and humanitarian access.
In January 2025, he described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as "very serious and shameful," condemning the bombing of civilians and the destruction of hospitals that left children freezing to death.
The Vatican has not responded to Eydar's comments. The 'Israeli' government has also not issued a statement regarding its representation at the Pope's funeral.
Pope Francis's death has prompted global mourning, with leaders and communities around the world paying tribute to his legacy of compassion and commitment to social justice.
