Hezbollah offered deep condolences to the State of the Vatican, to the followers of the Catholic Church around the world, and to all Christians—especially our Christian brothers and sisters in Lebanon and the Apostolic Nunciature therein—on the demise of the Pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, “who believed in peace, called for the rejection of wars, and worked with deep faith to instill the values of love and tolerance, and to build bridges between religions, civilizations, and peoples in pursuit of dialogue, understanding, and justice”.
Through his inspiring positions, Pope Francis embodied the spirit of interfaith dialogue, according to the statement, which added that his notable meetings with Islamic authorities in Najaf Al-Ashraf and Al-Azhar were pivotal moments that sparked a message of love and human fraternity.
“His outspoken positions calling for an end to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip (until the very last moments of his life), his condemnation of the massacres against our people in Palestine, his calls for humanitarian aid, his official recognition of the State of Palestine, and his unwavering support for the Palestinian cause—alongside his consistent support for Lebanon throughout the years and his condemnation of Israeli aggression against it—truly reflect the sincerity of his call and his commitment to humanitarian values that reject injustice everywhere.”
Hezbollah called on the Lebanese, with all their sects and communities, to recall Pope Francis’s words, “who described Lebanon as a significant message that reflects a model of coexistence and national unity.”
Finally, the statement urged the Lebanese people to draw inspiration from the late Pope’s spirit, wisdom, and strength to confront challenges and resist attempts to sow discord and division in “our beloved Lebanon.”
