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| The Identity of the New Pope Will Not Alter the Vatican’s Commitment to Lebanon |
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The Identity of the New Pope Will Not Alter the Vatican’s Commitment to Lebanon
By Joseph Kosseifi, President of the Syndicate of Press Editors
01/05/2025
(See translation in Arabic section)
Joseph Kosseifi Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: The farewell ceremony for Pope Francis—marked by a massive turnout and a funeral procession that was both official and popular—stood as a powerful reflection of the Vatican's enduring stature. Despite its simplicity, which honored the late pontiff's wishes, the ceremony highlighted a status that transcends borders and time. Not even the great powers that shape the destinies of nations have been able to diminish the influence of this city-state, which continues to uphold the banner of peace and fraternity among all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion.
Pope Francis, known as the Pope of the poor and marginalized, maintained a life of humility and closeness to ordinary people. Yet, this spiritual and social approach never prevented him from taking firm and vocal stances against war, violence, injustice, and evil. He deeply believed in the sanctity of human life, viewing it as a divine gift, and considered every person inherently valuable. This conviction compelled him to speak out boldly against the crimes committed by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza—statements that drew fierce criticism from Tel Aviv, which reacted with hostility and even media campaigns targeting his legacy. The low level of Israeli representation at his funeral was a telling sign of this animosity.
Pope Francis served as the voice of a suffering global conscience—one silenced too often by the clashing interests of international and regional powers that treat humanitarian concerns as mere irritations or obstacles. Though Francis has passed, the influence of the Holy See endures, as it has for centuries. The Vatican continues to support interfaith dialogue and has welcomed numerous initiatives aimed at building religious coexistence.
Pope Francis personally participated in the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in the United Arab Emirates, alongside the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. Their meeting was vibrant and meaningful, emphasizing the shared values between Christianity and Islam, and reinforcing a spirit of brotherhood rooted in faith in one God—the Father and Source of all revealed religions. Likewise, his historic meeting with Shiite leader Ayatollah Sistani during his visit to Iraq was rich in symbolism and depth, as echoed in the statements released afterward.
As the "Pope of Dialogue," Francis also advanced the ecumenical efforts initiated by his predecessors, fostering unity among the Christian churches—including the Orthodox, Anglican, and Evangelical traditions.
Lebanon, meanwhile, has never been absent from the Vatican’s thoughts. It remains at the heart of the Holy See’s daily concerns. It is no exaggeration to say that Lebanon has consistently been a top priority for the Vatican, which has repeatedly intervened on its behalf—supporting peace, encouraging interfaith harmony, and opposing wars waged on or within its borders, including the most recent Israeli aggression.
The election of a new pope will soon take place through a secret ballot by the College of Cardinals. The new pontiff, whose election will be symbolized by the rising of white smoke, will shape the Church’s response to contemporary challenges: the rise of artificial intelligence, the digital revolution, shifting human values, and changing perceptions of the Church itself. These are compounded by fears within the Church about Europe’s changing identity, driven by illegal immigration and the growing wave of Islamophobia.
The political shifts toward the far-right in several European nations reflect some of these anxieties. As the conclave approaches, the Cardinals face three main options:
•   Elect a pope who continues Pope Francis’s legacy—one of openness, inclusiveness, and active engagement across cultures and faiths, without yielding to the localized fears or concerns of national churches.
•   Choose a conservative, hardline pope who avoids confrontation with nationalist movements in Catholic-majority countries—particularly in Europe, where the Church’s influence is waning, and where some see Islam’s growing visibility as a challenge to cultural identity.
•   Select a centrist pope who seeks a balance between these two factions within the Church—a dynamic that has existed since its earliest days.
Regardless of who is chosen, the Vatican’s unwavering support for Lebanon—as a pluralistic nation and a model of lived coexistence—will remain constant. The Holy See's dedication is not just theoretical; it is evidenced by its history of initiatives, even before Pope John Paul II described Lebanon as a “message country.â€
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