The Middle East Council of Churches Mourns the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

Christ Is Risen… He is Risen Indeed!

It is the Easter Monday, the Feast that marks the transition from death to life, from darkness to Divine Light. It is the joy of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who redeemed us through His death.

This year, Easter Monday is not the same as ever year for the Church and the whole world.

On this blessed day, His Holiness Pope Francis passed away and is now in the hands of the Heavenly Father, at the age of 88, entering the Kingdom of the Lord during the greatest of Feasts and the holiest of seasons.

The Pope of mercy and humility witnessed this year the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Council and the common Feast of the Resurrection, offering his final greeting to all the faithful, departing to rejoice with the angels, proclaiming Christ's victory over death.

The journey of the Supreme Pontiff was a sign of hope amidst all the Ecclesiastical, social, health, and security challenges. He always prayed and called for dialogue, love, peace, and fraternity, carrying the burden of the poor, the marginalized, and the needy, defending their rights and preserving their dignity.

His Holiness Pope Francis made paternal visits to all corners of the earth, spreading his peace and the peace of the Lord. He traveled to many poor countries and nations facing security dangers, natural disasters, floods, and earthquakes, standing by every suffering person, every sick and weak individual, expressing solidarity with them, and praying for them.

The Supreme Pontiff was an Apostle of Christ on earth, translating the teachings of the Lord in every word he wrote and spoke, and in every step he took. He believed in the virtue of mercy and defended it until his last breath.

He participated in international conferences for peace, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation, continuing to pray for the truth and justice. He expressed his closeness to all the wounded people, following their suffering and pain daily, even in recent times from the hospital despite his illness. He also carried the concerns of Lebanon, Palestine, Gaza, and all the countries of the region, especially during the recent wars it faced.

The Supreme Pontiff worked to build bridges between different people, religions, and sects, and strived to strengthen the Ecumenical spirit through various dialogues and documents, most notably the "Document on Human Fraternity" launched by His Holiness with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, as a foundation for a culture of dialogue and cooperation between religions.

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which had met His Holiness at the Vatican through the person of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, mourns the passing of the Supreme Pontiff, the Pope of peace and the good shepherd, who proved that the language of love never fails.

His Holiness Pope Francis… Farewell!