Letter of Condolence: Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, to the Vatican

7The Review of Religions – May 2005 His Holiness Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals, Vatican City, 9th April 2005 Your Holiness Cardinal Ratzinger On behalf of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community and myself, I would like to express our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Pope John II. The late pontiff was an undoubted inspiration to all Catholics and non- Catholics around the world. He was instrumental in building bridges between people of different faiths and generating a spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation and tolerance. Muslims all over the world have always had a great admiration for Pope John Paul II. This great man insisted on the local authority of Rome to allow Muslims to build their mosque next to the centre of Christianity. His courage and conviction was an example for all. He stood up for justice and human rights and was not afraid to speak his mind to world leaders. We join in prayers with members of other beliefs and our Catholics brethren in faith that God Almighty rests his soul in peace and showers His grace on him just as during his life Pope John Paul II was gracious and forgiving to the people of the world. May God be with you all as you make your choice for his successor. Amin. With deepest sympathies MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Letter of Condolence Message sent by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V, Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community, following the death of Pope John Paul II.