Pope Francis Urges Lebanon To Quickly Elect New President

Pope Francis on Sunday called for the immediate election of a new president in Lebanon to restore functionality to the country’s institutions and initiate necessary reforms.

In his address at Saint Peter’s Square following the Sunday Angelus prayer, the Pope emphasized the urgency of electing a president to allow Lebanon’s political system to operate smoothly once again.

Pope Francis also highlighted the importance of Lebanon serving as a model of peaceful coexistence among its various religious communities, stressing the need for leadership to guide the country back toward that role.

He stated, “I address an urgent invitation to all Lebanese politicians to elect the president of the republic immediately.

“Lebanon’s institutions need to start functioning normally again to undertake the necessary reforms and sustain the country’s role as an example of peaceful cohabitation between different religions.”

Lebanon has been in a leadership vacuum since October 2022 when President Michel Aoun’s term expired.

Despite efforts by parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, who has scheduled the next presidential election for January 9, Lebanon’s political factions remain divided.

The two primary parliamentary blocs — Hezbollah, backed by Iran, and their political rivals — have not been able to reach a consensus on a candidate, preventing the selection of a new head of state.