Moscow: The Russian Orthodox Church assumes the participation of a high-level delegation of the church in the funeral of Pope Francis, Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations secretary for inter-Christian relations told RIA Novosti on Monday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, earlier in the day, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, confirmed that Pope Francis died at 5:35 GMT.

"As for the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church in the funeral of Pope Francis, according to the church protocol, such participation is a common practice. It can be assumed that a high church delegation will be sent to the funeral of Pope Francis," Father Stefan stated.

The Russian Orthodox Church expressed hope that the positive aspects of cooperation with Catholics demonstrated under Pope Francis would continue to develop. Under his leadership, the churches enhanced their interaction in humanitarian and peacemaking efforts, working together to provide tangible assistance to Syrians.

Pope Francis acknowledged the previous mistakes of Catholicism in its relations with Orthodoxy, further strengthening the ties between the two churches, the Russian Orthodox Church representative remarked.