Israeli Embarrassment Over Netanyahu's Vatican Funeral Boycott

Pope Francis's Relationship with Local Christians

• 🌍 The Pope maintained a close relationship with the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, who constitute about 2% of the population.
• 📞 He consistently called the Catholic church in Gaza every evening to check on their well-being.
• 🤝 His first pilgrimage was to Jerusalem, where he facilitated an unprecedented summit between Orthodox and Latin Catholic churches.
• ✝️ Pope Francis was the first pope to appoint a cardinal from Jerusalem, Pier Batista Pitala.

Cardinal Pitala's Significance

• 🌟 Cardinal Pier Batista Pitala, the newly appointed cardinal from Jerusalem, is seen as a potential successor to Pope Francis.
• 🗣️ He was honored to deliver his first sermon as cardinal from the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a church held dear by the late Pope.

Reactions in Israel to the Funeral Boycott

• 💔 There was significant anger and deep embarrassment in Israel regarding Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to send a delegation to the Pope's funeral.
• 📰 Israeli news channels provided live coverage of the funeral, highlighting the government's decision to boycott.
• 📜 Retired diplomats described the boycott, reportedly due to pressure from extremist ministers, as a "mark of shame" upon the Israeli government and its leader.
• 🙏 Civil society groups, including the forum of hostages' families, expressed continuous condolences, noting the Pope's efforts to assist them.