"In the atmosphere of great Easter joy, this morning, Monday of Holy Week, came the sad news of the death of Pope Francis, a precious brother in Christ, with whom from the first moment of his ascension to the papal throne, we had a fraternal friendship and cooperation for the good of our Churches, for the further rapprochement of our Churches, for the good of humanity.
Throughout these twelve years of his papacy, he stood as a faithful friend, companion and supporter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a genuine friend of Orthodoxy, a genuine friend of the least of the Lord's brothers, for whom he often spoke, acted, and touched their feet, in an example of genuine humility and brotherly love. We will always remember him.
