Russia pays homage to Pope Francis

Patriarch Kirill recalls the historic meeting in Cuba in 2016 and Francis' desire to “heal the wounds of conflict”. Putin's tribute: “A consistent defender of the great values of humanism and justice”. Orthodox writer Andrei Lorgus: ‘His death on Easter has a special meaning for the whole Christian world’.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis was always motivated by the desire ‘to show solidarity with the suffering and disadvantaged, constantly remembering the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in every poor person and in every person in need of help,’ writes Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in a message sent to Cardinal Kevin Farrell to express his ‘most sincere condolences’ on the death of the pontiff.

In his message, Kirill recalled the historic meeting on 12 February 2016 at the International Airport in Havana, Cuba, where he and Francis also signed a joint declaration.

‘His name,’ writes the Patriarch of Moscow, ’is linked to an important stage in relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

The 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 ‘join efforts to bear witness to the Gospel of Christ and the common heritage of the Church of the first millennium.’’

Recalling the attention given to cases ‘of injustice, violation of human dignity and various forms of persecution’, he also writes that ‘we will remember with gratitude his statements in defence of religious freedom and, in particular, of the persecuted Orthodox Church in Ukraine’.

The Russian Orthodox priest and writer Andrei Lorgus gave an interview on state television, stating that ‘ the death of the Pope of Rome at Easter has a special meaning for the whole Christian world, a sign from God indicating the special election of the person... the Lord invites us to reflect on this mysterious coincidence, looking at this pure man sent to the seat of Peter, a simple and affectionate man and at the same time firm and great in faith.’

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a message of condolence on the death of Pope Francis, recalling that the pontiff ‘enjoyed great international authority as a faithful servant of Christian teaching, a wise religious leader and statesman, and a consistent defender of the great values of humanism and justice.’

The Kremlin leader also recalled that during his pontificate, the pope ‘actively contributed to the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as to constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See,’ and that he himself had the opportunity to communicate ‘with this extraordinary person on numerous occasions, and I will always cherish the most vivid memories of him.’

Russian Catholics are obviously united in their memory of the Pope, who, in the words of the Bishop of the Mother of God in Moscow, Monsignor Paolo Pezzi, learned of his passing ‘with great sorrow and at the same time with great joy,’ because ‘we are not made for separation, but to live together in the love of Christ, even when great distances divide us.’

On the other hand, the joy that Christ spoke of to his disciples is spreading, affirming that ‘no one can take this joy away from you’ (Jn 16:22), because ‘our beloved Pope Francis will remain with us forever, accompanying us to strengthen our communion.’

In Moscow Cathedral and in the other diocesan churches of the Assumption in St. Petersburg, St. Adalbert in Kaliningrad and in all the jubilee churches, books of condolence have been placed, in which all the faithful can record their memories of the pontiff.

The President of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Grand Mufti and Sheikh Ravil Gajnutdin, sent his feelings of compassion to the Holy See and ‘to the whole Christian world,’ recalling that ‘as a true man of the world, Pope Francis placed at the centre of his life the dialogue and encounter between different religions and cultures.’ recalling that ‘as a true man of the world, Pope Francis placed the humanistic aspect of Christian doctrine at the centre of his ministry, constantly preaching human love and the brotherhood of all human beings’.

He recalled that ‘I cherish the memories of my meeting with His Holiness in the Kazakh city of Astana in 2022, when the Roman Pontiff unhesitatingly joined my proposal for a joint prayer to the Most High for humanity and peace,’ also recalling the ’ memorable visits to the Arabian Peninsula and other parts of the Islamic world,’ especially the signing in Abu Dhabi of the declaration “On Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” and the encyclical “Fratelli tutti,” which Muslims in Russia translated and published in their own language, testimonies of ’a great legacy in Islamic-Christian relations and interreligious communication in general.’ The Mufti is convinced that ‘future historians will have to study in depth and give credit to the great preacher and spiritual leader’, and it can already be said that the late pontiff was a man dedicated to ‘fraternal dialogue and kindness of heart, a herald of mercy, compassion and love for one's neighbour’.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyj, said that ‘millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of the death of Pope Francis... his life was dedicated to God, to mankind and to the Church,’ recalling how much the pontiff prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine and for the tormented Ukrainian people. In his words, ‘he knew how to give hope, alleviating suffering with prayer and helping people to live in unity. We join Catholics and all Christians in mourning the loss of the one to whom we turned for spiritual support. Eternal memory!’