Pope Francis is a personality of contemporary Christianity, his Pontificate leaving a deep imprint on the recent history of the Roman Catholic Church, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR), Daniel, has said.

„It was with deep sadness that I received the news of the passing from this world of Pope Francis, a venerable and well-known personality of contemporary Christianity, whose Pontificate has left a deep imprint on the recent history of the Roman Catholic Church. We share the sorrow caused by this loss and convey our condolences to the whole Roman Catholic Church. We pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Resurrection and the Life ( John 11:25), to rest the soul of Pope Francis in the light, peace and love of the Holy Trinity,” reads the message of Patriarch Daniel conveyed to the His Eminence Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, Vatican.

Pope Francis died Monday morning at the age of 88, the Vatican announced in a video statement, according to AFP and Reuters.

AGERPRES