Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election

The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, has officially congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, highlighting the great responsibility that comes with such a role and expressing hopes for strengthened ties between the Catholic and Orthodox communities.

In a formal letter addressed to the newly elected Pope, Ilia II wrote:

“We wholeheartedly congratulate you on your election as Pope of Rome. This is both a great appreciation of your personality and imposition of great responsibility.

In our most difficult times, which is full of contradictions, your support for the defense of the true values, your determination and firmness will be of great importance to the entire world.

When I met with His Holiness, Pope Francis, I noted then and will say again that the See of Rome and the Orthodox Church of Georgia have been established by the brothers — Apostles Peter and Andrew — which, today as well, imbues our relationship with great respect.

I beseech the Lord that He might grant success to your ministry not only for the good of the Catholic world but also for the entire humankind.”

The Patriarch concluded the letter with his blessings and signed it with “fraternal love,” reaffirming the historical and spiritual connection between the two ancient Christian traditions.