President and Mrs. Bush Extend Condolences Regarding Death of Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- The leader of Greece's powerful Orthodox Church, Archbishop Christodoulos, who eased centuries of tension with the Vatican. In 2001, Christodoulos received the late John Paul II the first pope to visit Greece in nearly 1,300 years. He was 69.

United States of America President George W. Bush released this statement:

Laura and I offer our condolences to the people of Greece at this time of mourning for the death of the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos. The late Archbishop was well known as an articulate voice of the Orthodox faith, for his engagement in inter-religious dialogue, and for his promotion of social programs to help the vulnerable. Our prayers are with the people of Greece and all those who followed his spiritual guidance.