Palestine’s Abbas mourns Pope Francis

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday mourned Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, describing him as a “faithful friend of the Palestinian people,” according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

In a statement published by WAFA, Abbas said the Pope was “a staunch defender of the values of peace, love, and faith around the world… He recognized the State of Palestine and raised the Palestinian flag at the Vatican,” offering his condolences over the pontiff’s death.

The Hamas movement also expressed condolences, praising Pope Francis for his consistent stance against the war in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In a statement by senior Hamas official Basem Naim, the group said the Pope was “a steadfast defender of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly in his clear position against the war, aggression, and acts of genocide committed against our people in Gaza in recent months.”

Just a day before his passing, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican to deliver his Easter message to thousands of worshippers, marking the most significant holiday in the Christian calendar.

He condemned the “shameful situation” in Gaza and warned against the growing atmosphere of antisemitism worldwide.

The pope called on all parties to agree to a ceasefire, and allow aid into the Gaza Strip.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit also mourned the Pope, calling him “a voice of humanity and conscience.”

In a statement, the Arab League said the Pope’s “clear and unwavering condemnation of Israeli brutality remained strong until his final days.”

It also noted the Pope’s “daily contact with Gaza residents under brutal Israeli bombardment, making hundreds of direct calls over the past months.”

Pope Francis had been suffering from severe pneumonia over the past two months.