We will comment on this Israeli newspaper i24news Français to cover the controversial political and media reactions to the Pope:
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 following a bout of pneumonia. The Vatican announced the death of the pontiff at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday. He had led the Catholic Church since 2013.
In Israel, President Hertzog spoke:
« I would like to take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to the Christian world, to the Catholic world, to the Christian communities here in Israel in the Holy Land, and to Catholics in the United States for the great loss they have suffered with the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. »
You and I are both men of faith, and I know that we share the deepest hope that his memory will inspire acts of kindness and unity, as well as dialogue between peoples and hope for humanity.
Francis was quick to describe anti-Semitism as a sin incompatible with the Christian faith and to visit Israel.
Although he visited Auschwitz and paid his respects at Yad Vashem and at the tomb of Theodore Herzl, his relations with Israel and the diaspora were complicated and sometimes conflictual. In accordance with Pope Francis’ wishes, the Vatican recognised a Palestinian state in 2015. He maintained good relations with [notorious Islamists such as] Marmou Abbas throughout his reign.
In November 2024, Francis called for an investigation into Tsal’s actions in Gaza. In December, the Pope condemned the air strikes on the coastal strip but did not comment on the use of the Gazan population as human shields or on Palestinian terrorism in general. A month earlier, Francis had prayed before a nativity scene depicting the baby Jesus lying on a Palestinian scarf.
This anachronistic representation shocked people around the world and was removed after a few days. In his latest message delivered on Easter Sunday, Francis expressed concern about the rise of anti-Semitism around the world.
Notes from Vigi-Sectes
The Pope is referred to as « Holiness » by Herzog. This is politically correct, even in a country where a Pope was hated because of his anti-Semitic past and his friendship with Nazism during and after the Holocaust. But media outlets such as i24 do not seem to be fooled, and politely point out the Pope’s inconsistencies, particularly his compromises with Islam. We made the same observation in 2019. See RD2019-03.
Historian David Kertzer draws on secret Vatican archives, opened in 2020, to demonstrate that Pius XII had committed himself from the outset to Hitler never to speak publicly on political or « racial » issues. (Source: Wikipedia)
The term « hypocrite par excellence » is missing from the media, but it can be heard between the lines.
Let us remember that this pope endorsed the peace conferences organised in Muslim countries, as if the « religion of peace » could teach us lessons in peace. https://www.thereligionofpeace.com
Even within the Catholic community, there was recently a scandal surrounding his idolisation of Inca statues and his acceptance of heresy. Like most Europeans, he opposed Israel’s defence programme and failed to recognise the origin of the genocide perpetrated by Hamas.
The official media of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs withdrew their public message of condolence « May his memory be a blessing » on 24 April 2025.
François was not persecuted in the Muslim world as strongly as Pope Benedict was during his enthronement. See our RD2015-02.
The hypocrisy of Christians on the broad path
Pope Francis and other « Christians » seeking recognition responded positively to the call of the interfaith meeting in the Emirates for « nbsp;dialogue and prayer for peace « . He addressed the meeting of human fraternity at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019 and confirmed how
« God is with those who seek peace. »
This initiative by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sent a message that was very different from the local reality: The UAE is teaching Christians a lesson and setting a good example by approving, encouraging and teaching religious tolerance.
The newspaper La Croix reported on the event as follows:
Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al Tayeb, were together. They signed a joint declaration on fraternity and peace. « Human fraternity requires us to banish any hint of approval of the word war. Let us return it to its miserable cruelty. » The Pope celebrated a giant mass in the stadium… More than 120,000 faithful came to attend the service. It was a way of putting into practice the religious freedom advocated during the trip. On his return, the Pope said that dialogue with Islam had taken « a step forward ».
Has Allah the « merciful » taken a step forward in the United Arab Emirates? 2.
The Pope approves of Islamist « mercy »
(See RD2019-03). In a hadith considered authentic3, Muhammad is quoted as saying:
Allah has commanded me to fight and kill (jihad) all peoples until they say that there is no other God but Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger, that they establish prayer and pay Zakat (money). If they do so, their blood and property (their honour) will be spared from me.
Islamic grace does not exist for the Jewish nation returning to the land given by God. Here, it is non-existent for anyone who rejects « the messenger », and it is not free for those who accept it. Jesus, although identifying himself as « Son of God, » did not take anyone’s property, did not persecute those who did not recognise him (cf. John 10:36-39) and did not recommend himself, except through his works.
- 1 Youtube 5MfOTan9_1k
- 2 According to the testimony of Arabist Christian Prince, Muslims who convert and those who openly criticise Islam disappear without a trace. An anonymous expatriate industrialist reports similar acts against opponents of the government. Worship services with apostates from Islam are held in secret. OpenDoorUSA reports that « at least one female convert has been threatened with forced marriage, and some converts have been forced to flee to another emirate due to pressure. Some converts have also been subjected to financial pressure and forced to renounce their faith. Islamic education is compulsory for all public school students, so the children of converts must attend Islamic education classes. » opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/united-arab-emirates/
- 3 Sahih Al Bukhari Vol. I, p. 13 – Nothing is authentic in Islam except theft, murder and lying.
Message of 20-04-2025 from Pastor Van Muylem Frank – Vice-President of Vigi-Sectes
This was prophetic on the eve of the Pope’s death, presenting Christ’s teachings on the so-called Fathers and hypocrites, and encouraging us to be true.
Jesus addresses the crowd in Matthew 23:1
What does he say to them?
The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
Therefore, do and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do. For they say, and do not do.
We see the same thing in our leaders today.
They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with one of their fingers.
An alarming observation,
They do all their deeds to be seen by men. Thus they wear broad phylacteries and long fringes on their garments;
If we observe what Orthodox Jews do today (the term Orthodox Judaism covers the beliefs and practices of Jews who are faithful to the halakhic interpretations and nuances established over the centuries …)
Then in Matthew 23:6-7
they love the place of honour at banquets, and the best seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called “Rabbi” by others.
(Rabbi = Master)
Jesus calls for humility and temperance:
Matthew 23:8-9 But you, do not call yourselves Rabbi; for one is your Master, and you are all brothers.
Some claim to be spiritual fathers. (It is true that the apostle Paul claimed this in his letter to the Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand guardians in Christ, yet are ye none of the fathers; for in all things I have made you sons by the gospel.
Jesus does not forbid us to call men who are not really fathers « fathers, » whether in the literal or spiritual sense. He warns against the erroneous attribution of fatherhood—or a particular type or degree of fatherhood—to those who do not have it.
Matthew 23:9: And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Be careful not to allow authority over our lives; Christ reigns, that is enough. Matthew 23:10-11 Do not call yourselves “teachers,” for you have one Teacher, the Christ.
Beware of unhealthy domination, and this goes in all directions (being dominated or being dominant):
Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you will be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Jesus castigates the scribes and Pharisees and denounces their dubious and reprehensible practices:
Matthew 23:13-39
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses and for a pretence make long prayers; for this you will be judged more severely. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice your enemy.
…
Let us never be hypocritical Pharisees (super religious hypocrites), scribes (intellectual hypocrites) or Sadducees (moralists, humanists hypocrites)
Let us be true according to God.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.