Russia, Israel and China had a difficult relationship with the Vatican and the late Pope Francis.
While the funeral of the pope is a quiet scene for diplomatic symbols, the presence or absence of some countries means a lot.
Russia and Israel will be represented at the funeral of Pope Francis. Nevertheless, this representation is not a high level from the fact that President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not participate.
While Russia sends the Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, Israel represents the ambassador of the Vatican of Yaron Zeidman.
Putin stops out of the search order?
The Putin commemoration ceremony after the death of Pope Francova, although he praised him as a “defender of humanism”, the International Criminal Court (UCM) attributed to the order to arrest.
Theoretically, this was vague, although he was at risk of arrest, if he stepped to Italy, it was unclear: according to the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, the Ministry of Justice of Italy has not yet transferred the order to arrest EKM to the Court of Appeal in Rome. This is a necessary step so that any arrest is valid.
The ministry, also reportedly, did not process the other five orders about the seizure issued against high-ranking Russian officials, including the Russian Commissioner Maria Alekseevna Lvvov-Belov, who are charged with accusations similar to Putin.
At the bottom of the Israeli-Vatican relationship during Francis
The absence of Netanyahu was associated with relations between Israel and the Vatican, especially because of the war of Israeli Ham in Gaza.
While many world leaders were immediately condolences after the death of the pope, the message of the condolences of Israel was received from Israel President Isaac Hertzog a few hours after the death of the pope was declared.
Nevertheless, the Netanyahu government, waiting for three days to make a statement, was interpreted as a diplomatic signal.
Pope Francis repeatedly condemned the war in Gaza, and his criticism before the public deepened the tension between the Israeli government.
China “no information for exchange”
China has not yet confirmed its participation and, it seems, is weak. When Beijing was asked if Beijing will send a representative of Reuters, Go Jiakun, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, replied: “Now there is no information that you can share.”
Beijing, about 24 hours after the death of the pope on the pressure of journalists had a short message of condolences.
However, the prayer will be read on the funeral ceremony. This applies to the efforts of Pope Francis to establish bridges with the Beijing government, despite the tense relations that have been tense for decades.
Many observers believe that the dialogue with China is one of the most important political missions of the pope.
The Vatican has not had official diplomatic relations with China since 1951, and the only European state that Taiwan officially recognizes, autonomous island democracy, which Beijing claims to belong to him.
On the other hand, the leader of Taiwan Lai Ching-Teke will not be attended by the ceremony, and instead of the former vice president, Taiwan will represent.
The dispute in China with the Vatican for decades includes the purpose of Catholic bishops. Cardinal Joseph Zen, a pensioner Bishop of Hong Kong and the name of a professional, received a special permission from Hong Kong to go to Rome for a funeral.
After his arrest in 2022, in connection with the protests of a professional, the passport of Cardinal Joseph Zen was confiscated.