Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of the ascertainment of death of Pope Francis and placement of his body in the coffin on Monday evening.

By Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office announced on Monday that the rite of ascertainment of death and placement of the late Pope Francis’ body in the coffin will take place on Monday at 8:00 PM Rome time.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark received today, Thursday, at the Papal Residence in Cairo, the priests and servants of the Jerusalem Association in Cairo, who presented to His Holiness the Holy Light — taken from the light that emerges from the tomb of the Lord Jesus on Holy Saturday (last Saturday). The light was sent by His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios, Metropolitan of Jerusalem, and the Near East, to bless the Coptic churches in Egypt.

II Sunday of Easter C

Jn 20:19-31

The Gospels of these first Sundays after Easter tell us about the encounters of the Risen Lord with his disciples: the Lord seeks them out, walks with them, eats with them, reveals Himself as the living Lord who has not abandoned his people, but continues to be present among his own.

These encounters always have two elements.

The first is that it is always the Risen Lord who takes the initiative and makes Himself known.

The Gospels tell us that during His ministry, Jesus often withdrew or went somewhere else and people came on his trail and looked for Him (cf. Mark 1:36-38). After Easter, the Lord can no longer be sought: It is He who seeks His disciples, and only when He seeks them can they meet Him.

Cairo, 21 April 2025

President of the Protestant Churches mourns His Holiness Pope Francis: The world bids farewell today to a true voice of love and global peace, and a living conscience in a time of challenges

The Protestant Churches of Egypt, under the presidency of Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki, mourn His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Vatican, who departed to heavenly glory today.

Armenian Evangelical World Council (AEWC)

April 24, 2025

On this solemn occasion, the Armenian Evangelical World Council commemorates the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide committed by Ottoman Turkey.

We bow our heads in reverence and profound respect before the memory of our martyrs—men, women, and children—whose lives were violently taken; whose homes and communities were devastated; whose churches, schools, and institutions of health and learning were destroyed; whose cultural heritage was looted; and whose ancestral homeland was desecrated. We remember not only the physical destruction inflicted upon our people, but also the incalculable spiritual, cultural, economic, and generational losses that continue to affect us to this day.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark said: “We offer our condolences to the whole world on the passing of this man who served all of humanity. Although Pope Francis sat on the Throne of Rome for only 12 years, it was a time filled with work, vitality, and service wherever he went. He left us an example of an open heart toward every human being.”

He added in aphone interview with Extra News Channel: “There is no doubt that Pope Francis was a voice for peace in all crises and conflicts around the world. He was always a voice for peace and a voice for truth—standing by the oppressed, the weary, the marginalized, and the forgotten.”

"The passing of Pope Francis is a loss for all humanity. He called for peace and putting an end to wars across the globe."

"In this holy season of Pascha, divine providence has willed that Pope Francis return to the house of the Heavenly Father."

Damascus, April 21, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, made a phone call to inquire about the health of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, after he suffered a hip fracture. His Beatitude wished Patriarch Al-Rahi good health and a speedy recovery, conveying the love and prayers of the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East.

Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) extended a letter of condolences to the Vatican Secretary of State following the passing of Pope Francis, expressing his heartfelt sympathy. He noted that the late Pope undertook a series of bold initiatives that transformed the Catholic Church, ushering in a new era of thought and practice. Pope Francis emphasized the importance of ecumenical movements and advocated for those who have faced injustice, positioning the defense of justice as a core mission of the Church. His remarkable humility and simplicity earned him the title of “the people’s Pope.”

On Sunday, April 20, 2025, the Feast of the Miraculous Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated with a pontifical Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) delivered his pontifical message during the service.

Joining His Holiness at the altar were HE Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian and HG Bp. Dajad Ashekian. The Divine Liturgy was led by the “Shnorhali” choir, conducted by Fr. Zaven Rev. Najarian.

On April 23, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) participated in the Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast held in Erbil.

On April 22, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) arrived to Erbil to participate in the Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast.

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East

A Decade and Two Years Since the Abduction of the Bishops of Aleppo

Dear brethren and spiritual children,

Since the kidnapping of the Bishops of Aleppo, Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim, on April 22, 2013, the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch and All the East have spared no effort in following up on this sensitive and complex issue. Communication has been made at all levels with the aim of freeing the bishops and uncovering the circumstances and aftermaths of the abduction, as this case constitutes a fundamental matter for both churches and all Eastern Christians, as it reflects part of the suffering of the Eastern human being in facing the challenges of remaining in their land.

From the General Secretariat of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Bright Monday, 8th/21st April 2017, the Paschal service was held, during which the Resurrection Canon of Saint John of Damascus was chanted and the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom was celebrated in the monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and honorary President of the Middel East Council of Churches, with the participation in prayer of the Holy Archbishops, Priests, Monks, and many pilgrims.

The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, April 21, 2025

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ,

With a heart heavy in sorrow yet anchored in the promise of the Risen Lord, I join the faithful around the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, who today has returned to the house of the Heavenly Father.

Message from His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, before heading to the Vatican to participate in the funeral Mass of the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis

I want to greet the Church that we love—the Church of Jerusalem, Our diocese, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

It is a moment during which we need to be united in prayer, first for me, because this is a time in which I carry a great and important responsibility.

In an atmosphere filled with sorrow, yet infused with faith and hope, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The Mass was concelebrated by Cardinal Mykola Bychok, C.SS.R., Eparchal Bishop of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians (Australia), Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Delegate, Msgr. William Shomali, Patriarchal General Vicar, and Msgr. Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar for Galilee, along with a large number of bishops and priests. Among the assembly were representatives of the Churches of the Holy Land, a number of ambassadors, consuls, and diplomats, along with members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, various religious orders, and the faithful.

On April 19, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presided over the Holy Qurobo of the Easter Vigil at St. George Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma.