“The Catholics of Russia welcome the election of the new Pope with gratitude to God and hope, and consider him a great gift. They express to him their devotion and obedience. They see in him the good shepherd who will lead them into the new age, who will take care of them, and who will defend his ‘little flock’ in the hope that they may soon be able to meet him on Russian soil, with a view to realizing the dream close to the heart of the great predecessor of Benedict XVI, John Paul II”. This is a passage from the pastoral letter written by Bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, Metropolitan of Moscow and president of the Russian Bishops’ Conference. The letter will be read out in the Catholic churches of the diocese of Moscow on Sunday 24 April. On the evening before (Saturday 23 April, 7.00 pm), a mass of thanksgiving for the pontiff’s election will be celebrated in the cathedral of the capital, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. In a message to the Pope, Bishop Kondrusiewicz expresses the hope that Benedict XVI may visit Russia “with the aim of strengthening us in the faith and developing dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church”.
