His Holiness offers condolences over the death of Pope Francis

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has sent a letter of condolences on the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.

“Pope Francis of blessed memory was a humble, courageous and kind shepherd who faithfully followed in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. He assumed the high and responsible papal mission in difficult times and bore witness to the Gospel, always being a defender of justice and peace, bringing special attention and care to those in need, as well as making his important contribution to the strengthening of inter-church relations,” His Holiness said.

“We reflect with particular consolation that His Holiness Pope constantly raised his prayer for the world wounded by wars and injustice, in particular for our people suffering the heavy consequences of the Artsakh war,” the letter of condolences of His Holiness reads.

His Holiness emphasized that the Armenian people will remember with gratitude the Divine Liturgy celebrated in St. Peter’s Cathedral on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the proclamation of St. Gregory of Narek as the Patriarch of the Universal Church, as well as the visit of the Holy Father to Armenia.

The Catholicos of All Armenians sent his prayer to God for the repose and peace of the soul of His Holiness the Pope of blessed memory, as well as for the comfort of the clergy and faithful of the entire Catholic Church.