The telegram of condolences to His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals, reads:
“I felt great sorrow at the tragic news of the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
A leading figure of the modern world has passed away, with whose name an entire era is linked. The diverse and tireless service of John Paul II directed to building fairer international relations, to forming society on the principles of humanism and solidarity, and to strengthening spiritual and moral principles in people’s lives gained him the boundless love of Catholics all over the world, and the deserved respect of hundreds of millions of people of different religions and nationalities. I am certain that the role of John Paul II in history, and his spiritual and political legacy, are properly valued by mankind.
During John Paul II’s pontificate, official relations between Russia and the Vatican were established. Important steps were made to developing bilateral political dialogue, to establishing interaction in international affairs in the interests of a joint search for effective responses to the global challenges of the modern world.
I have the warmest memories of meetings with the Pope. He was a wise, sympathetic person who was open to dialogue.“