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.
Israel launched a late-night air raid targeting a southern Beirut neighborhood, claiming it struck a building housing "precision-guided" missiles for Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s new central bank governor, Karim Souaid, has outlined plans to bolster financial oversight and restore economic stability, including restructuring public debt and addressing long-standing obligations to depositors.
The Israeli military said on Friday it had killed Hassan Farhat, a commander of Palestinian militant group Hamas, in the Sidon region of southern Lebanon.
The U.S. has pressured Lebanon to act against Hezbollah, urging the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to enforce a ceasefire. The LAF, caught between U.S. demands and Hezbollah’s influence, risks losing vital U.S. support if it fails to act.
Negotiations between Italy and Elon Musk's Starlink have stalled over geopolitical tensions, as the government seeks secure communications for officials. Opposition politicians have raised concerns over working with a company linked to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
In Malaysia, rivers are under threat from invasive fish species that have spread widely, harming native wildlife and local ecosystems.
China has openly supported Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland following renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.
The US State Department has announced visa bans on owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies accused of helping people enter the United States illegally.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed President Donald Trump's administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S. Trump has also aimed to end TPS protections for Haitians, Afghans, and others.
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request from the Trump administration to lift protections under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially opening the door to future deportations while litigation continues.
Lithuania has taken legal action against Belarus at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Minsk of organizing irregular migrant crossings and violating international obligations.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
Indonesia has raised the alert level to the highest for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki after it erupted eight times over the weekend, the country’s volcanology agency said.
As South Western Railway becomes the latest operator to be renationalised under Great British Railways (GBR), questions remain about whether these changes will lead to better services or lower fares.
In Malaysia, rivers are under threat from invasive fish species that have spread widely, harming native wildlife and local ecosystems.
China has openly supported Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland following renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.
The US State Department has announced visa bans on owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies accused of helping people enter the United States illegally.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment