NNA - Today, the world bid farewell to Pope Francis in a solemn funeral befitting the late Pope's embodiment of the humanitarian values ​​and principles he worked to achieve throughout his nearly 12-year tenure as Pope. The Pope's passing brought all people together, as the Vatican became the capital of the entire world today, as of 10:00 AM Rome time.

Lebanon's President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and First Lady Nemat Aoun, joined approximately 170 world leaders, dignitaries, and international figures who came to the Vatican to offer their condolences and participate in the farewell of a distinguished man who was able to inspire fraternal relations with various sects and denominations, and who defended humanity wherever it was oppressed, persecuted, or suffering from the repercussions of wars and conflicts.

The Pope's coffin was brought into the service at the beginning of the funeral ceremony, amidst loud applause from the attending crowd. As per the late Pope's wish, his humble coffin was placed in front of the altar between the two large statues of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostle.

Following the Gospel reading, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who presided over the ceremony, delivered a homily in which he emphasized the virtues and qualities of the late Pope, who was close to the people and their suffering, standing by them in various circumstances, denouncing injustice, oppression, and wars, and calling for peace in every corner of the world.

"Throughout his career, he sought to follow in the footsteps of his teacher, Jesus Christ. He sought to break down the barriers that keep people apart. In the UAE, he signed a historic document with Muslims to bring people together and strengthen fraternal ties among them," the Cardinal said, adding that "the Pope has always asked the faithful to pray for him, and this time the faithful are asking him to pray for them."

Lebanon's President shared numerous conversations and handshakes with several country leaders attending the funeral ceremony, namely Jordan, France, Italy, Greece, Liechtenstein, and Lithuania.

=============R.Sh.