The Family of Imam Mousa Sadr Meets Pope Francis

15/02/2019

Upon their visits, two messages were addressed by the family of Imam Sadr to His Holiness Pope Francis: the safety of Lebanon, and the liberation of the Imam and his companions.

Pope Francis replied by saying: “Your visit is a beautiful testimony to me. I know your good work and it is a concrete translation of your words and your love for the needy”.

Friday, February 15, 2019

On an exceptional visit, Pope Francis received the family of Imam Mousa Sadr in the Vatican, stressing that he was happy to meet them, his Holiness said “I know your good work, which is a concrete translation of your words and the result of your love for the needy.
The Pope welcomed the delegation headed by Mrs. Rabab Sadr, the Imam’s sister, along with Mrs. Maliha Sadr, the Imam’s daughter, Mr. Raed Charafeddine and Mr. Nijad Charafeddine, the sons of Mrs. Sadr. His Holiness listened with great interest to their talk about the exceptional personality of Imam Moussa Sadr and about the unfortunate mishap of his disappearance in Libya along with his two companions. 

This visit came within the framework of the family’s follow-up on the issue of the disappearance of Imam Sadr in an attempt to obtain the Holy and apostolic support for this matter. It was emphasized that this is not merely a family or a sect related issue, but a universal humanitarian issue concerning the freedom of the first Muslim cleric invited to the Vatican in 1963 for the inauguration of the appointed Pope back then. Imam Sadr was also the cleric who prayed and spoke at the altar of the Church of the Capuchin Fathers on days like these for the unity of Lebanon and the diverse Lebanese citizens.

The family confirmed that the Pope intended to support the cause of the liberation of Imam Sadr, who has been abducted for wanting to bring unity and safety for Lebanon, the homeland, to which the Pope referred to as a message. Given that that the Pope signed the brotherhood treaty in the United Arab Emirates with the Muslim Sheikh of Al-Azhar, his Holiness had no doubt in supporting the cause of an influential Muslim cleric such as Imam Sadr. He believed that “the message of the Lebanese is co-existence, and Lebanon represents God’s trust.”

The family will complete their visit at the Vatican, after which they will meet with the Vatican’s dialogue officer, Monseigneur Sandri.

Source: Imam Mousa Sadr Center for Research and Studies