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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated Pope Francis on his 85th birthday.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated Pope Francis on his 85th birthday.
Version for print
17 December 2021 year 10:00
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated Pope Francis on his 85th birthday.

HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS, POPE OF ROME
 
Your Holiness,
 
Pease accept my heartfelt greetings on this memorable date – your 85th birthday.
 
For many years you have been serving God the Bestower of great gifts, always ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Pet 3:15), and encouraging your contemporaries to live in accordance with God’s commandments and perform works of love and mercy, so that they by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality (Rom 2:7).
 
As Primates of the two largest Christian Churches in the world, we have a special responsibility for the future of humankind. This responsibility has a global dimension, as evidenced by our meeting in Havana and the Joint Declaration we signed. I am glad to note that while remaining faithful to their own traditions, our Churches have achieved a high level of cooperation. It enables us to work together to glorify the name of God throughout the world, strengthen the imperishable moral ideals in society, promote interfaith dialogue, and give proper responses to the present-day challenges.
 
Greeting Your Holiness on this memorable day, I am praying that God may give you strength in body and spirit and that you may always remain not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord (Rom 12:11), succeeding in your Primatial labours.
 
Many and good years to you.
 
With love in Christ Jesus,
 
+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA
Version: Russian