Your Excellency, dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Please, accept my greetings with your 40th birthday.
You have assumed the office of head of the Italian Government in a difficult period which requires from state leaders special responsibility, foresight and reasonable approach to decision making.
The Moscow Patriarchate has parishes in Italy, which take spiritual care of the Orthodox Christians. The Russian Church is grateful to the Italian authorities for their unchanging goodwill and assistance in upholding traditional moral values, basic for our two national cultures.
I wish you good health, peace and God’s help in your service.
Yours faithfully,
+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA