His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Mourns His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, extends condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, in a letter sent to His Holiness Pope Francis.

Below you can find the text of the letter:

His Holiness Pope Francis

Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church

Your Holiness, dear brother in Christ,

We greet you with fraternal embrace and love in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are saddened by the news of the passing away of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He was an eminent theologian who led the church in very difficult times, and a humble servant of the Lord who became an example to others in his humility and meekness.

We assure you of our prayers for the soul of the late Pope Emeritus and, indeed, for the entire sister Roman Catholic Church. We ask our Lord Jesus Christ to count him among the faithful stewards and to make him hear His voice saying: “Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25: 23).

On behalf of the Archbishops, Bishops, clergy and the faithful of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, we wish to express our deepest condolences to your Holiness and the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church. May God rest his soul in peace and may his memory be eternal.

In Christ our Lord, we remain fraternally,

His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II

Patriarch of Antioch and All the East

Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church

This letter was originally published on His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II 's Facebook page.