April 21, 2025
SOS Chrétiens d’Orient Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis I
Pope Francis I has returned his soul to God.
SOS Chrétiens d’Orient joins the global Christian community in prayer, entrusting the Holy Father to the God’s boundless mercy.
“The peace in the East was always at the heart of the Pope’s prayers.” said Benjamin Blanchard, Director General of SOS Chrétiens d’Orient. In September 2013, amidst the threat of intense bombings in Syria, Pope Francis called for a worldwide prayer vigil, dedicated especially to “beloved and suffering Syria.”
Again, in October 2024, he addressed Middle Eastern Catholics with tender compassion: “I am with you, people of Gaza — wounded and weary. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.” He also proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer for peace across the Middle East.
“Throughout his twelve-year pontificate, Pope Francis tirelessly built bridges with the Eastern Churches,” Blanchard added. “We remember his historic meetings with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, and Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church. These were profound moments of unity — a rare encounter between the successors of Saints Peter and Mark — culminating in the signing of a declaration of brotherhood and friendship.”
For Eastern Christians, however, the most powerful and deeply moving gesture was his visit to Iraq in 2021. “It was a defining moment in his papacy,” said Blanchard. “He risked his life to be with us — a planned attack was thwarted just before his arrival. He later spoke of how deeply he was touched by what he witnessed in Mosul and Qaraqosh: the destroyed churches, the stories of resilience, the living faith of those he met.”
Across our missions, our volunteers are praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis I.
