The Arab world bids farewell to Pope Francis, highlighting his legacy of peace
The death of Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Global South, has sparked an outpouring of condolences across the Arab and Muslim world. His passing, after a year of fragile health and a recent hospitalisation, came just one day after he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to bless the faithful on Easter Sunday.
Francis was a revolutionary figure in the Catholic Church, noted for his openness towards the Islamic world and his active defence of human rights, justice and peace. This commitment remained until his last days, as in his final Easter message, he called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of hostages and humanitarian access for civilians trapped by the war.
One of the most distinctive aspects of his leadership was his commitment to interfaith dialogue, building bridges with the Muslim world. In 2019, he made history by becoming the first pope to visit the Gulf, where he signed, together with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Document on Human Fraternity, a joint pledge to reject violence and promote coexistence, a vision he consolidated on his subsequent visit to Bahrain in 2022.
His trip to Iraq in 2021, which included a private meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader of Shia Islam, was a milestone in interfaith reconciliation. Francis also received Mohammed Al-Issa, secretary general of the Muslim World League, at the Vatican in December 2024, reinforcing collaboration between Islam and Christianity on global issues.
The Arab world mourned the death of the pontiff for his career and commitment to religious coexistence. Al-Issa wrote on social media that his friendship with the Pope had a ‘clear impact on cooperation between the WML and the Vatican.’ The Muslim Council of Elders, chaired by El-Tayeb, said Francis was ‘a historic figure whose compassion and humanitarian legacy will inspire future generations.’
Various Arab and Muslim leaders also paid tribute to Francis. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi described him as ’a voice of peace, love and compassion.’ Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, president of the United Arab Emirates, emphasised his dedication to ‘the principles of peaceful coexistence and understanding.’ Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called him ‘a loss for all humanity,’ and leaders such as King Abdullah II of Jordan, Turkish President Erdogan and Palestinian President Abbas also offered their respects.
From the Palestinian territories, Christian theologian Munther Isaac said that Palestinian Christians ‘have lost a dear friend.’
I extend my sincere condolences to the Vatican State and the entire Catholic community on the passing of Pope Francis.
— Mohammed Al-Issa محمد العيسى (@MhmdAlissa) April 21, 2025
Our friendship with the prominent late Pontiff had a clear impact on the cooperation between the MWL and the Vatican in serving our shared objectives. We commend…
Francis always advocated a two-state solution as the path to peace. During his visit to the Holy Land in 2014, he called for a sovereign homeland for the Palestinians and security for the Israelis. At the Western Wall, he left a handwritten note calling for unity, and he was the first pope to lay a wreath on the tomb of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism.
Despite recent tensions with Israel over his critical stance on the war in Gaza, Israeli President Isaac Herzog also expressed his condolences, highlighting his role as a ‘great spiritual father’ and defender of peace.
I send my deepest condolences to the Christian world and especially the Christian communities in Israel - the Holy Land - on the loss of their great spiritual father, His Holiness Pope Francis. A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the…
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) April 21, 2025
Now, the Catholic Church is preparing to elect Francis' successor, whose funeral will be held next Saturday, 26th, following a funeral service in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m. Among the names being mentioned as possible future pontiffs are Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille; Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdö; Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech; Spanish Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona; Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin; and Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson.
