A condolence message and expression of sympathy from His Majesty the King following the death of His Holiness Pope Francis I
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, sent a condolence message to His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals at the Vatican, following the death of His Holiness Pope Francis I.
Here is the text of this message:
“Your Eminence Cardinal,
We received with profound sadness and deep sorrow the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis I, may God grant him mercy and forgiveness in His highest kingdom.
On this sorrowful occasion, we extend to you, and through you to the Christian world, especially to the esteemed Catholic Church, our sincerest expressions of condolences and sympathy for the loss of a distinguished religious figure who devoted his life to serving the noble principles of humanity as a whole, and the shared supreme values of faith, freedom, peace, love, and solidarity among different peoples. He remained committed to advocating for the protection and preservation of the environment that embraces all of humanity and caring for its affairs.
In this difficult moment, we also remember the late Pope’s life, which was characterized by generosity and giving, as he called for combating marginalization and poverty, defending human dignity, and particularly condemning the conditions surrounding the plight of illegal immigration. He also tirelessly urged the consolidation of values of peace, dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence among the heavenly religions.
We recall, with deep respect, the historic visit he made to Morocco in March 2019; it strengthened and blessed the distinctive nature of the strong relations that bind the Kingdom of Morocco and the Vatican. This visit formed a solid foundation for continuing to build and link bridges of dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect between the Christian and Islamic worlds. This blessed visit culminated in the signing of the “Jerusalem Declaration” by His Majesty and the late Pope, which calls for ensuring the right of followers of the three monotheistic religions to access the holy city to perform their respective rituals.
As we share in your sorrow during this tragic loss, we pray that God Almighty grants you patience and solace, and may He envelop the deceased in His pleasure. “Indeed, we belong to God and indeed to Him we will return.”
With my sincerest expressions of sympathy and highest feelings of appreciation.”
