Archbishop Chrysostomos II became head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches, in 2006, and died on November 7 at the age of 81.

“He was a far-sighted pastor, a man of dialogue and a lover of peace, who tried to promote reconciliation between the different communities of the country,” Pope Francis said on November 7. The Pontiff recalled “with grateful affection” his meetings with the Primate during his during the 2021 papal visit to Cyprus.