Department for External Church Relations
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DECR Chairman expresses condolences on the passing of Pope Francis
DECR Communication Service, 21.04.2025.
Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, sent a letter of condolence to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Roman Catholic Church, on the passing of Pope Francis.
Your Eminence,
It is with profound sorrow that I received the news of the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
From his youth, having chosen the path of service to the Church of God, the Pope paid special attention to caring for the poor and the marginalized. Striving to be "an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12), he was distinguished by personal humility, kindness, and love for humanity.
His name is associated with the development of relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. A significant event in this regard was the meeting between Pope Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ in Havana on February 12, 2016.
Conscious of the responsibility for the fate of Christianity, the Pope understood the importance of maintaining dialogue and the necessity of joint witness to the faith in the face of a secular world. He sincerely sought to promote the peaceful resolution of international conflicts, guided by his balanced position, which avoided one-sided bias.
I had the privilege of knowing His Holiness well and meeting with him often. He was always deeply attentive to our Church, taking its needs to heart and striving, whenever possible, to consider its position in responding to many issues of interchurch and international relations.
Pope Francis departed into eternity during the Paschal season, as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ—to Whom the deceased dedicated his entire life. May the Savior grant rest to the soul of the departed in His heavenly abodes and grant him eternal memory!
With deep condolences,
Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk
Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations
of the Moscow Patriarchate
Department Chairman
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