The Supreme Pontiff Beared the Concerns of the Armenian People and all the People Who Have Been Subjected to Genocides and Massacres

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

His Holiness Pope Francis, the Pope of Mercy and Humility, Father of the poor, the marginalized, and the destitute, carried the message of humanity and of every human being on this earth. He defended their rights and sought to preserve their dignity, being the voice crying out in the wilderness, seeking with every word and every step to prepare the way of the Lord so that He might make His paths straight.

He addressed many issues and concerns with hope, as a listening ear and a warm shelter for all the people who have suffered and continue to suffer due to tragedies, wars, conflicts, and disasters. With his compassionate smile, he transformed pain into hope and despair into reassurance... the reassurance in the constant presence of our Heavenly Father.

The Armenian cause was not forgotten by the Supreme Pontiff. He stood by the Armenian people with his Prayers, support, and Apostolic visit to Armenia. He was a source of strength, inspiration, and motivation to move forward in the search for justice.

On the 110th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide: What Does this Flower Symbolize?

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

A violet flower... a flower that carries many meanings and symbols... it connects the past with the present and calls for hope in the future. A flower that tells the stories of people who have suffered tragedies and wars, and whose wound still bleeds today. It is the flower that symbolizes the Armenian cause and affirms the resilience of the Armenian people. These people, who have clung to their history and heritage, held tight to their identity, and decided to endure and survive, are known for their steadfastness in the face of challenges and hardships.

On the 110th annual commemoration of the Armenian genocide on April 24th, it is important to recall the historic significance of this violet flower, which was launched in 2015 as the emblem of the centennial commemoration (1915-2015) of the Armenian Genocide. It is a symbol to confirm that the Armenians are alive in their cause that cannot be forgotten and to consolidate their belief that justice is not lost. The flower is often accompanied by the phrase "I remember... and I demand," translated into many languages. So, what do its components symbolize, and what do its colors represent?

In fact, the flower has five petals, which represent the continents where Armenians fled and spread after the massacres. The primary color of the emblem, dark violet, symbolizes eternity as well as the Armenian soul and identity, meaning the future. This color was chosen due to its use in the majority of Priestly Vestment in the Armenian Church.

The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Writes a Message of Condolence in the Condolence Book at the Holy See in Harissa

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs extended his condolences on behalf of the Council's General Secretariat team at the Apostolic Nunciature in Harissa.

The MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Father Nicolas Bustros, and the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC Lea Adel Maamary.

Firstly, the Secretary General Professor Michel Abs assured the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon His Excellency Monsignor Paolo Borgia that “His Holiness Pope Francis has left an unforgettable legacy, and his path is full of openness, justice, humanity, and mercy."

Professor Michel Abs then wrote a message of condolence in the condolences book of the Holy See - Harissa.

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.