Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell Executing this Mission?

Media of The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Cardinal Kevin Farrell is the most frequently mentioned Vatican figures in the media following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Heavenly Father on the morning of Easter Monday. Cardinal Farrell was the first to announce the Pope’s passing away in an official statement.

He is the Vatican’s Camerlengo, currently managing the daily affairs of the Holy See, particularly during the Sede Vacante which is the period from the moment of the Pope's passing away until the election of a new Pope. During this time, he also has the right to request financial information from various Vatican departments.

Lest we forget

Christ Is Risen… He Is Risen Indeed!

During the time of the Glorious Resurrection, His Holiness Pope Francis left our world after completing his Ecclesiastical and humanitarian mission with great dedication, to move on to the true Resurrection in the Kingdom of the Lord. With this sad news, which the Church received worldwide, the General Secretariat Team of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) gathered in their weekly meeting, where they raised Prayers for the repose of the soul of the Supreme Pontiff, who had always emphasized hope in the Lord Jesus.

The meeting was held at the invitation of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Council's General Secretariat offices in Beirut, with the presence of colleagues from various departments, along with some colleagues who participated online.

The meeting included Prayers prepared by Fr. Antoine Al Ahmar, the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department at MECC, as well as readings from Pope Francis' decree calling for the ordinary jubilee in 2025, titled "The Hope That Does Not Disappoint," where he wrote: "Christian hope is this: in the face of death, and where everything seems to end, we are certain that 'life does not vanish, but changes,' thanks to Christ, and by the grace given to us in Baptism."

Pope Francis... Farewell

The Answer Is In this Report

Here Are the Details

Details Are In this Report

Here Is A Tradition

By Father Joseph Soueid

Lyrics: Father Michel Abboud

Music: Father Joseph Soueid

Arrangement: Mario Nakouzi

The Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and an MECC Delegation Meet His Holiness Pope Francis Following His General Audience on Wednesday 8 March 2023

Within the activities of an international conference held in Rome and in which the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) participated, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and a delegation from the Council, met His Holiness Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican in Rome, after the General Audience His Holiness gave, on Wednesday 8 March 2023.

During the meeting, the Secretary General Professor Abs and the MECC delegation saluted His Holiness Pope Francis and expressed their appreciation for His Holiness and their intention to ask for an appointment in order to visit His Holiness at a later time.

The MECC delegation included His Eminence Bishop Munib Younan, MECC Honorary President, Dr. Hiba Sharobeem, a Member of the Egyptian Parliament and a University Professor, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, the Coordinator of the “Dialogue, Human Dignity and Social Cohesion” program at MECC, and a University Professor, and Eng. Fadi Nasr, an Expert in social cohesion training.

The Middle East Council of Churches' media is in continuous daily coverage of the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis and the most prominent letters of condolence.

Follow a daily series of reports, news, videos, and exclusive articles, programs and interviews, about the life and faith of the Supreme Pontiff, on the Middle East Council of Churches’ platform.

With the Presence of the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs

On Saturday, April 19, 2025, and on the occasion of Holy Saturday, the Chaldean Eparchy of Beirut held a Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of the Late Dr. Michel Joseph Maamary, husband of the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, as well as relatives, friends, and journalists.

The Prayer was presided over by His Eminence Bishop Michel Kassarji, the Head of the Chaldean Community in Lebanon, assisted by Monsignor Raphael Traboulsi, the Episcopal Vicar General, Father Antoine Ghanem, the Antonian Monk, and the Deacons: Dani Cheba, Nawwar Ramo, and Nabil Riad.

Bishop Kassargi delivered a speech that highlighted the significance of the occasion and praised the virtues of the Late Dr. Michel. The service was also attended by Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Journalists, cultural and humanitarian workers, as well as the Widow of the Deceased, his two children, and other family members.

Following the Liturgy, the family received condolences in the Eparchy's salon.