His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II congratulates His Holiness Benedict XVI on his election as Primate of the Roman Catholic Church

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia congratulated His Holiness Benedict XVI on his being elected Primate of the Roman Catholic Church, sending the newly-elected Pope the following message:

His Holiness Benedict XVI

The Pope of Rome

Your Holiness,

I cordially congratulate you on being elected to the old See of Rome. I wish you God’s help in your lofty ministry as Primate of the Roman Catholic Church.

I sincerely hope that the pontificate of Your Holiness will be marked with development of good relations between our two Churches and fruitful Orthodox-Catholic dialogue. I believe it to be one of the most important tasks decisive for the entire Christendom. Our Churches being authoritative and influential should unite their efforts in preaching Christian values to today’s humanity. The secular world, which is losing spiritual guiding lines, needs our joint witness as acutely as never before. I would like to express hope that the ministry of Your Holiness will contribute to the fulfilment of this task.

With fraternal love in the Lord,

+ ALEXY

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

Links:

• Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, congratulated Benedict XVI, the newly-elected Pope of Rome
• A Delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate in Rome
• A delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate Attended the Inauguration Ceremony of the Pope of Rome
• Pope Benedict XVI Received the Delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate

See also:

• His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia
• Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, congratulated Benedict XVI, the newly-elected Pope of Rome