His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church addressed a message of congratulation to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, on the occasion of the anniversary of sixty years since his ordination as priest and of six years since his enthronement as Bishop of Rome.




29 June 2011


His Holiness,
Pope BENEDICT XVI
Vatican


Your Holiness,


On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Your Holiness’ ordination to priesthood and the 6th anniversary of Your enthronement as the Bishop of Rome, we send You warm wishes for everything that is good and much help from God in the pastoral work that You unfold for the wellbeing of the Roman Catholic Church and in promoting the values of the Christian faith in the world of today.

As spiritual shepherds of the Christian Church, we are called - especially in this time of crisis, which generates uncertainty, confusion and material shortages for many of our fellow human beings - to defend and promote the spiritual values coming out of the Gospel of Christ's love for all humanity.

We pray Christ our Lord, “the Chief Shepherd“ (1 Peter 5:4), to keep Your Holiness in good health and give You peace and joy.


Many and blessed years!

With deep esteem and brotherly embrace in Christ the Lord,



† DANIEL
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church



Note: The Photograph is taken over from the site www.news.va and represents the moment of His Holiness’ Pope Benedict XVI ordination as priest, sixty years ago.