Full text: Pope's Message of condolence to Coptic Christians
Below, please find the full text of Vatican Radio's unofficial translation of Pope
Benedict XVI's MEssage of condolence for the death of Pope Shenouda III of Alexendria.
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On
learning of the sad departure to God, our common Father, of His Holiness Shenouda
III, Patriarch of Alexandria on the See of Saint Mark the Evangelist, I wish to express
to the members of the Holy Synod, to the priests and all the faithful of all the Patriarchate,
my most sincere brotherly compassion. I recall with gratitude his commitment to Christian
Unity, his memorable visit to my predecessor Pope Paul VI, and their signing of the
Joint Declarationof Faithin the Incarnationof the Sonof God together in Rome, on May 10, 1973, as well
as his Cairo meeting with Pope John Paul II during the Great Jubilee of the Incarnation,
on February24, 2000. I can say how the Catholic Church as a whole shares the grief
that afflicts the Orthodox Copts, and how she stands in fervent prayer asking that
He, who is who is the Resurrection and the Life, might welcome his faithful servant.
May the God of all mercy receive Pope Shenouda in His joy, His peace and light.