Hezbollah Extends Condolences on the Passing of Pope Francis, Praises Legacy of Interfaith Dialogue

Hezbollah has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Pope Francis, offering heartfelt condolences to the Vatican and Christian communities worldwide. The Pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away at the age of 88 following complications from a medical condition.

In an official statement released on Monday, Hezbollah paid tribute to the late Pope’s enduring efforts to promote global peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony. The group extended condolences specifically to the State of the Vatican, Catholic followers around the world, and particularly to Lebanon’s Christian communities and the Apostolic Nunciature in Beirut.

The statement described Pope Francis as a leader “who believed in peace, opposed war, and worked faithfully to instill values of love and mutual respect.” Hezbollah emphasized his role in bridging religions and cultures through dialogue and understanding.

Pope Francis’s visits and meetings with prominent Islamic leaders in Najaf Al-Ashraf and Al-Azhar were highlighted as pivotal moments in advancing interfaith unity and human fraternity.

Hezbollah further commended the Pope’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. “Until his final days, he condemned the Israeli aggression on Gaza, called for humanitarian aid, and recognized the State of Palestine,” the statement read. It also cited his consistent condemnation of violence against Lebanon and his calls for peace in the region.

The group urged all Lebanese people—regardless of sect or political affiliation—to remember Pope Francis’s vision of Lebanon as a “message of coexistence and national unity.”

Concluding the message, Hezbollah called on the Lebanese nation to draw inspiration from the Pope’s life, wisdom, and commitment to justice, especially in the face of attempts to sow division within Lebanon.