His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sends a congratulatory message to the Pope of Rome John Paul II on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his pontificate

HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA SENDS A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE POPE OF ROME JOHN PAUL II ON THE OCCASION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PONTIFICATE

On October 15, 2003, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent the following message to the Pope of Rome on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his election as head of the Roman Catholic Church:

His Holiness John Paul II The Pope of Rome

In the days when the Roman Catholic Church is celebrating the 25th anniversary of your tenure at the Throne of Rome, please accept my heartfelt fraternal greeting.

You are known to the whole world as a selfless Christian, pastor, bishop and primate of the largest Christian Church in the world. I pray that the All-Merciful Lord may strengthen you in your ministry and show His mercy to all the faithful of your Church. I wholeheartedly wish you good health and spiritual and physical strength and many years of life.

With love in the Lord,

+ ALEXY
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia