Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in the Holy See, on Monday handed Russian Patriarch Kirill a personal message from Pope Benedict XVI.
The letter said: "You are now the successor of our beloved brother of revered memory, His Holiness Alexy II, who left his people a deep and abiding inheritance of ecclesial renewal and development, as he led the Russian Orthodox Church out of the long and difficult period of suffering under the totalitarian and atheistic system to a new, active presence and service in today's society."
"Patriarch Alexy II worked assiduously for the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and for communion with the other Orthodox Churches. He likewise maintained a spirit of openness and cooperation with other Christians, and with the Catholic Church in particular, for the defense of Christian values in Europe and in the world," the message said.
"I am certain that Your Holiness will continue to build on this solid foundation, for the good of your people and for the benefit of Christians everywhere," it went on.
An articulate public speaker, Kirill is seen as a liberal figure in the largely traditionalist Russian church and led dialogue with the Vatican as head of the Russian Orthodox Church's external relations, a post he occupied for more than a decade.
Pope Benedict XVI earlier welcomed the election of Kirill as patriarch.
By RIA Novosti
Posted February 2nd, 2009 by Armen Hareyan
