Daoud Rammal, “Akhbar al-Yawm”

Gone in Body, Alive in Spirit: The Everlasting Message of Pope Francis

Lebanon always held a special place in Pope Francis’ heart

The death of Pope Francis marks not just the end of a papacy, but the closing of a chapter in the spiritual life of the world, one defined by courage, compassion, and a radical commitment to human dignity. His passing leaves an emotional and moral void, but also a powerful legacy that invites reflection, not despair. For those who followed his journey, it is clear: his presence changed not only the Church, but the very grammar of global leadership.

Pope Francis was never content with the boundaries of tradition. He redefined the papal voice, not as one that commands from above, but one that walks with the wounded, listens to the unheard, and lifts those pushed to the margins. He championed causes often overlooked by power structures: the plight of migrants, the wounds of war, the cries of the earth. And through his every word and gesture, he reminded the world that moral authority is not born of titles, but of tenderness and truth.

His deep belief in interfaith dialogue wasn’t a diplomatic strategy, it was a theological imperative. Whether meeting with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, embracing Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf, or calling for solidarity from war-torn Iraq, Pope Francis pursued peace not as an ideal but as a duty. He made it clear: fraternity among peoples is not optional in a fractured world, it is essential for survival.

Lebanon, in particular, held a special place in his prayers and pronouncements. To him, it was not merely a nation, but a symbol, a living testament to coexistence in a region often torn by division. He spoke boldly to its leaders, religious and political alike, urging them to return to the essence of service, and to resist the corruption of power. In every word, he affirmed that Lebanon’s identity is larger than sectarian claims, it is a symbol of shared life, of human dignity expressed through pluralism.

Today, in mourning his loss, the world feels the absence of a voice that stood firm against indifference. Yet this grief is tempered by hope. The light he lit has not been extinguished; it has been entrusted to others. His mission, of compassion over conflict, of humanity before politics, has not ended; it has begun anew in every person moved by his example.

Pope Francis may no longer walk among us, but the path he paved remains. A path of mercy over judgment, dialogue over division, hope over cynicism. He reminded us, again and again, that the future belongs not to those who dominate, but to those who serve. And in that reminder lies the enduring power of his life: a quiet revolution that continues, one act of love at a time.