April 21, 2025
His Eminence Giovanni Battista Re
The Dean of the College of Cardinals
Vatican City
NEW YORK — It is with a heavy heart that I have learned the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis I has this Easter Monday fallen asleep in Christ. His benevolent dedication to his Petrine ministry and his attention to the poor and outcast marked his Papacy and spoke to his kind, gentle nature as a man who lived by his faith (Matthew, 25, 31-46).
We all witnessed his personal suffering with health challenges these last few years and being present for the celebration of the Resurrection where Christ defeated death by death must have given him great comfort. At Easter, Christians of all denominations proclaim, “Christ is Risen – He is Risen Indeed” in recognition of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus who is Christ. The resounding message of the promise of the resurrection of the dead must have been amongst the last words heard by Pope Francis yesterday as he joined his faithful in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Easter. We can all take comfort that he now reposes in Christ. I add my prayers for the repose of his soul.
I send my condolences to the Roman Catholic faithful on the loss of their shepherd and offer my prayers for the College of Cardinals who, after the interregnum, will meet to select a new Successor of the Prince of the Apostles and Patriarch of the West.
May the Holy Spirit guide their deliberations and election.
I join with my Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters of the Order of St. George the Great Martyr in offering our prayers to our LORD Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life (cf. John 11, 25), to give rest to Pope Francis that he might be received by the Most Holy Trinity into the Kingdom of God.
Konstantine Pandolfi E.M.
Grand Knight
