On Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 11:15 a.m., the Metropolitan of Korea and Exarch of Japan Ambrosios, accompanied by the Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Fr. Roman Kavchak and Fr. Anthonios Lim, the Dean of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral visited the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Seoul to express condolences on behalf of the Korean Orthodox Metropolis on the passing of the late Pope Francis.
Also in the afternoon of the same day, Metropolitan Ambrosios, accompanied by Fr. Anthonios Lim, went to the Apostolic Nunciature in Korea, had a special meeting with Apostolic Nuncio H.E. Giovanni Gaspari, and signed the book of condolences.
Below is the Statement ofthe Metropolitan of Korea on the occasion of the repose of the late Pope Francis:
The repose of His Holiness Pope Francis has filled us with deep sorrow. His great simplicity, along with his love for the suffering brothers and sisters of our Lord, serves as an example of conduct and ministry for us all.
His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, upon learning of this sad event, referred first to the fraternal friendship that united him with Pope Francis; second, to their cooperation for the further rapprochement of the Churches and for the good of humanity; and third, to their shared desire—agreed upon in Jerusalem in 2014—to meet this coming May in Nicaea of Bithynia to jointly commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the convening of the First Ecumenical Council.
We offer our prayers for the repose of his soul and extend our heartfelt condolences to our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Korea and around the world.
May the new Pope be a worthy successor to Him.
May His memory be eternal!