Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin has expressed condolences on the death of Pope Francis The spiritual leader of Russian Muslims, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, has expressed condolences on the death of Pope Francis II:

On behalf of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and all our clergy, I offer deep condolences to the Holy See and the entire Christian world in connection with the end of the earthly life of the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis.

As a man of peace, Pope Francis placed at the center of his ministry the humanistic aspect of Christian doctrine, consistently preaching humanity and universal brotherhood. I have fond memories of our meeting with Pope Francis in Astana in 2022, when His Holiness did not hesitate to join my proposal for a joint supplication to the Almighty for humanity and peace.

With his memorable visits to the Arabian Peninsula and other parts of the Islamic world, the signing in Abu Dhabi of the declaration “On Human Fraternity for Peace and Peaceful Coexistence”, and the issuance of the encyclical “All Brothers” (Fratelli tutti), he left a profoundly positive mark on the history of Islamic-Christian relations and interreligious communication in general. The historians of the future have yet to study and give credit to the great preacher and spiritual leader, but already now we can say that the deceased pontiff was a man of fraternal dialogue and heartfelt gentleness, a preacher of mercy, compassion and love of neighbor.

This is how he will remain in our hearts.