Middle East churches, Al-Azhar, leaders mourn Pope Francis

Following the death of Pope Francis at 88, regional church leaders and officials across the Middle East, including Egypt’s Al-Azhar, expressed condolences and highlighted his legacy of peace. Francis, who passed away after a prolonged respiratory illness, was remembered for his historic visit to Iraq in 2021 and his dedication to promoting interfaith dialogue, particularly in relation to Lebanon and the Palestinian issue. Leaders from Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, and Palestine praised his commitment to peace and humanitarian efforts throughout his papacy.