Pope Extends Condolences over Death of Bulgarian Patriarch

Pope Benedict XVI has sent a telegram of condolence on the occasion of the death of Bulgaria's Orthodox Patriarch Maxim.

Patriarch Maxim died Tuesday of heart failure. He was 98.

The telegram is addressed to His Eminence Grigorij of Veliko Tarnovo, Interim President of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria

"It is with deep sorrow that I heard the news of the death of our beloved brother in Christ, His Holiness Maxim, Metropolitan of Sofia and Patriarch of Bulgaria, who served our Lord and his people with devotion for many years," the Pope says in the telegram.

"On behalf of the Catholic Church, I wish to assure you and all the bishops, priests, and faithful of the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria that I join in prayer in your grief," the message goes.

The Pope also says he remembers Maxim's warm hospitality accorded to Blessed Pope John Paul II during his visit to Bulgaria in May 2002.

"I thank the Lord for the good relations that the Patriarch has fostered with the Catholic Church in these lands, and I sincerely hope that the good relations can continue in order to promote the proclamation of the Gospel."

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