WCC NEWS: WCC shares condolences with close colleagues of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay sent a letter of condolence to His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch upon the death of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and Pope Benedict XVI at an ecumenical Vespers service at the Roman basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls on Friday, 25 January 2008, marking the centennial of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Photo: L'Osservatore Romano 03 January 2023 Pillay reflected that, during Pope Benedict’s papacy, he encouraged deeper understanding and cooperation with different Christian communions.  “We all mourn with the entire Roman Catholic Church,” wrote Pillay. “At the heart of his spiritual leadership was the promotion of a culture of peace and global solidarity. “He was a man of deep faith, who cultivated humbleness and a servant leadership,” wrote Pillay. “On behalf of the World Council of Churches, I extend our profound condolences to his close friends, colleagues and collaborators in the Vatican, and across the globe as well as to the entire Roman Catholic Church.” Letter of condolences at the passing of His Holiness, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI leaves a legacy of ecumenical dialogue (WCC news release, 31 December 2022) The Ecumenical Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI (WCC feature, 31 December 2022) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland