Pope Francis to Ilia II: Please know that I particularly appreciate your various musical compositions, which I often listen to as a valued means of helping my preparation for prayer - this does me much good!

Pope Francis congratulated the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, on his 90th birthday and 45th anniversary of his enthronement.

"To His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Abkhazia and Bichvinta

Your Holiness and Beatitude,

On the occasion of the forty-fifth anniversary of your enthronement as Head of the Orthodox Church of Georgia, and as you mark your ninetieth birthday, I send heartfelt good wishes to Your Holiness and Beatitude, together with my prayers that Almighty God will bless you with good health and abundant spiritual gifts as you carry on your long-standing pastoral ministry.

While your many years of service to the Lord have seen a wide variety of challenges and an extensive transformation of your country, the Church entrusted to your care has always grown and prospered spiritually. This calls to mind the Apostle's words, "I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil 1:6). In this regard, I pray that our heavenly Father will bestow on you the strength to continue seeking the countenance of Christ as you bear witness to his love in the world and strive for the good of the flock and of all the Georgian people.

Please know that I particularly appreciate your various musical compositions, which I often listen to as a valued means of helping my preparation for prayer. This does me much good!

Dear Brother in the Lord, praying that the Mother of God will protect you under her mantle, I exchange with you a fraternal embrace of peace, and ask Your Holiness and Beatitude to remember me also in your prayers," reads the letter.