Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and other prominent figures expressed heartfelt condolences following the death of Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 88 in Vatican City after a period of declining health.
Aoun, who assumed the presidency in January after leading the Lebanese Armed Forces, mourned the pontiff as a “dear friend and strong supporter” of Lebanon. “We will never forget his repeated calls to protect Lebanon and preserve its identity and diversity,” Aoun said in a statement on the presidency’s X account, calling Francis’s passing “a loss for all humanity.”
Pope Francis, known for his outreach across faiths and his progressive leadership of the Catholic Church, often spotlighted Lebanon as a model of religious coexistence and pluralism. During his papacy, he called for international solidarity with Lebanon during its ongoing economic and political crises, and in 2021 designated a Global Day of Prayer for the country after the horrendous port blast that had taken hundreds of innocent lives.
Melhem Riachi, a member of Parliament and senior official in the Lebanese Forces Christian party, also reflected on the Pope’s legacy. “He was a great supporter of the Lebanese, of social peace and coexistence,” Riachi said. “He was an active person in the mission of this country. His Holiness confirmed that Lebanon is a message of peace and pluralism and a deep respect for human life.”
The Pope’s death comes at a time when Lebanon is still grappling with a prolonged financial collapse and deep political gridlock. Yet his voice remained a moral compass for many Lebanese, across religious divides, who viewed him as a global advocate for peace and dignity.
Funeral preparations are underway in Vatican City, where leaders from around the world are expected to gather to honor the life of Pope Francis.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and other prominent figures expressed heartfelt condolences following the death of Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 88 in Vatican City after a period of declining health.
Aoun, who assumed the presidency in January after leading the Lebanese Armed Forces, mourned the pontiff as a “dear friend and strong supporter” of Lebanon. “We will never forget his repeated calls to protect Lebanon and preserve its identity and diversity,” Aoun said in a statement on the presidency’s X account, calling Francis’s passing “a loss for all humanity.”
Pope Francis, known for his outreach across faiths and his progressive leadership of the Catholic Church, often spotlighted Lebanon as a model of religious coexistence and pluralism. During his papacy, he called for international solidarity with Lebanon during its ongoing economic and political crises, and in 2021 designated a Global Day of Prayer for the country after the horrendous port blast that had taken hundreds of innocent lives.
Melhem Riachi, a member of Parliament and senior official in the Lebanese Forces Christian party, also reflected on the Pope’s legacy. “He was a great supporter of the Lebanese, of social peace and coexistence,” Riachi said. “He was an active person in the mission of this country. His Holiness confirmed that Lebanon is a message of peace and pluralism and a deep respect for human life.”
The Pope’s death comes at a time when Lebanon is still grappling with a prolonged financial collapse and deep political gridlock. Yet his voice remained a moral compass for many Lebanese, across religious divides, who viewed him as a global advocate for peace and dignity.
Funeral preparations are underway in Vatican City, where leaders from around the world are expected to gather to honor the life of Pope Francis.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Australia’s top political leaders doubled down on plans to ban social media access for children under 16, showing rare unity on the issue ahead of the May 3 election even as pressure from tech giants is expected to mount.
China’s Shenzhen Hasee Computer Co. is considering launching laptop manufacturing operations in Azerbaijan, following key talks with local investment authorities.
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Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met his Kyrgyz counterpart Mirbek Mambetaliev in Bishkek to discuss cultural collaboration, highlighting key initiatives like the Kyrgyz Culture Days in Baku and joint projects like the new school in Aghdam.
Azerbaijan and Algeria held their second round of talks in Algiers, focusing on boosting relations in politics, trade, and energy, including the 2026 Islamic Summit. They also discussed regional issues and cooperation in multilateral organizations.
Australia’s top political leaders doubled down on plans to ban social media access for children under 16, showing rare unity on the issue ahead of the May 3 election even as pressure from tech giants is expected to mount.
The IMF has lowered global and U.S. economic growth forecasts, citing Trump-era tariffs and rising uncertainty. Global growth is expected at 2.8% this year, while U.S. growth may slow to 1.8%, with heightened recession and inflation risks.
China’s Shenzhen Hasee Computer Co. is considering launching laptop manufacturing operations in Azerbaijan, following key talks with local investment authorities.
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