“We will gratefully remember his statements in defense of religious freedom, particularly concerning the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” said Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in his formal letter where he extended heartfelt condolences following the death of Pope Francis, highlighting the significance of the late Pontiff’s ministry and his contribution to Catholic–Orthodox relations.
In the letter the Patriarch addressed to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Roman Catholic Church, Patriarch Kirill stated: “Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Pope Francis.”
Reflecting on Pope Francis’ legacy, the Patriarch emphasized that his pontificate coincided with “a time of epochal change” and that his name is tied to “an important stage in relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.”
He recalled the historic 2016 meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill in Havana, the first ever between a Pope and a Patriarch of Moscow. The encounter, he noted, reflected the Churches’ shared desire to “heal the wounds inflicted by conflicts of the distant and recent past” and “unite efforts in witnessing to the Gospel of Christ and the shared heritage of the Church of the first millennium.”
Pope Francis, said Kirill, stood out as a global voice for justice and compassion: “His Holiness’s commitment to standing in solidarity with the suffering and the marginalized held particular significance.” He also praised the Pope’s “statements in defense of religious freedom,” especially those concerning “the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
Concluding his message, Patriarch Kirill offered prayers for the Pope’s repose: “May the All-Merciful Lord grant rest to the soul of His departed servant… May He lead him ‘from death into life’ (John 5:24), forgiving all sins… and may He grant him eternal memory!”
Read the full letter:
To His Eminence, the Most Reverend Cardinal Kevin Farrell,
Camerlengo of the Roman Catholic ChurchYour Eminence,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Pope Francis.
The late Pontiff led the Roman Catholic Church during a time of epochal change (Joint Statement of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, 7).
His name is associated with an important stage in relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The historic first meeting of their Primates in 2016 marked the desire of our Churches to heal “the wounds inflicted by conflicts of the distant and recent past” and to “unite efforts in witnessing to the Gospel of Christ and the shared heritage of the Church of the first millennium” (Joint Statement 5, 7).
For Christians worldwide, His Holiness’s commitment to standing in solidarity with the suffering and the marginalized held particular significance. Continuously reminding us of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in every poor and needy person, the Pope drew attention to often deliberately overlooked instances of injustice, violations of human dignity, and various forms of persecution. We will gratefully remember his statements in defense of religious freedom, particularly concerning the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
May the All-Merciful Lord grant rest to the soul of His departed servant, who passed away on the second day of the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection by Christians worldwide, in the abode of the righteous. May He lead him “from death into life” (John 5:24), forgiving all sins, voluntary and involuntary, and may He grant him eternal memory!
With sincere condolences,
+KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUS’
