Pope Francis and Lebanese leaders honor Cardinal Sfeir’s legacy

Pope Francis and Lebanese leaders have expressed their condolences on the death of Cardinal Joseph Sfeir, the former Patriarch emeritus of the Maronite Church. Cardinal Sfeir passed away on 12 May, just days before his 99th birthday. The Pope, in a message addressed to Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï, the current Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites, as well as the family and community of the late Cardinal, praised his leadership and commitment. He described Cardinal Sfeir as a man of “mildness and determination” who guided the Maronite Church with wisdom during a time of significant turmoil in Lebanon.

Cardinal Sfeir served as the head of the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Maronites from 1986 to 2011. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in maintaining the Church’s presence and influence in a country that was embroiled in civil conflict. The Pope highlighted Cardinal Sfeir’s dedication to the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, noting that he remains a “great figure in the history of Lebanon.” The Pope’s message also requested that the Lord welcome the late Cardinal into eternal life and extended his blessings to the family, those who cared for him in his final days, and those who will attend his funeral on 16 May.

Lebanon has declared two days of official mourning in honor of Cardinal Sfeir, on 15 and 16 May. The Holy See provided a biographical note accompanying the Pope’s telegram, mentioning that Cardinal Sfeir was elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II in 1994. He also participated in three general assemblies of the Synod of Bishops between 1986 and 1994. In 1995, he served as the delegate president of the Special Assembly for Lebanon, and in 2010, he was the deputy president of the special assembly for the Middle East.

Tributes to Cardinal Sfeir have continued to flow from across Lebanon. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and the whole East, John X Yazigi, honored the memory of Patriarch Sfeir, emphasizing his lifelong dedication to preserving the essence of Lebanon through unity and coexistence. The Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdellatif Deriane, delivered condolences to the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerké, north of Beirut, expressing solidarity in safeguarding national peace and the unity of the Lebanese people.

Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï also received condolences from Sheikh Naim Hassan, head of a Druze community delegation, who came to offer his respects on the death of Patriarch Sfeir. These tributes reflect the deep respect and admiration that Cardinal Sfeir commanded not only within the Maronite Church but also among various religious and community leaders in Lebanon. His legacy continues to inspire those who value peace, unity, and the enduring strength of faith in a complex and often divided nation.

Source: Read the original report (translated from French)