Condolences to Cilicia

Having received the news today of the death of the Armenian Patriarch of Cilicia, His Beatitude, Nersès Bédros XIX Tarmouni, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolence to the Patriarchal Synod of Cilicia of the Armenians.

Telegram of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

for the death of the Armenian Patriarch of Cilicia

To the Patriarchal Synod
Patriarchate of Cilicia of the Armenians
Beirut

Having learned with great sadness of the sudden death of His Beatitude, Nersès Bédros XIX Tarmouni, Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, I wish to present my most sincere condolences to the Synod and to all the faithful of the Patriarchate who are so sorely tried by this experience.

Remembering our close collaboration, of which the recent declaration of Saint Gregory of Narek as a Doctor of the Church was a point of culmination, I commend to the merciful Father the soul of this devout pastor who, as a priest gave of himself without counting the cost, in service to the communities over which he presided, and who as a bishop, faithfully and zealously exercised his ministry, first in Alexandria and then as Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians.

In prayer, I unite myself with all those who are saddened by this sudden departure and with all my heart, I send them the Apostolic Benediction, especially the bishops of the Patriarchate of Cilicia of the Armenians, to the family of His Beatitude, and to all those who will take part in the liturgy of his Funeral.

Francis