Elect a president 'immediately' to sustain 'peace', Pope Francis tells Lebanon: Video
Pope Francis has called on Lebanese politicians to urgently elect a new president to restore stability and ensure the continuation of the ceasefire in the country.
Speaking at Saint Peter's Square after the Sunday Angelus prayer, the Pope expressed his profound joy over the ceasefire agreement with Israel and underscored the urgent need for Lebanon's governing institutions to operate effectively.
"I rejoice at the ceasefire that has been reached in recent days in Lebanon and I hope that it can be respected by all parties," he said. "In this situation, I address an urgent invitation to all Lebanese politicians so that a President of the Republic may be elected immediately and the institutions may return to their normal functioning to proceed with the necessary reforms and assure the country of the role of the example of peaceful coexistence between the different religions."
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022. The prolonged leadership vacuum has hindered the country's ability to address pressing issues and implement reforms.
The Pope's call comes at a time when the country is navigating a fragile ceasefire, and the election of a president is seen as a pivotal move to stabilise the nation.
Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, however, has scheduled a presidential election for January 9, 2025, to end the two-year leadership void.
The election is expected to be a crucial step towards re-establishing normal governmental functions and ensuring Lebanon's role as a model of peaceful coexistence among different religious communities.
