RIP Alexei Navalny - Pope Francis' Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin Expresses Sorrow at the Death of the Russian Activist who Died in Prison at Age 47

The Vatican News site released that Pope Francis' Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, expressed his sorrow over the sudden death of Alexei Navalny. Alexei Navalny was a critic of President Vladimir Putin, is "surprising" and "fills us with sorrow," said Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on the evening of Friday, 16 February.
Russian officials say jailed Alexei Navalny, age 47, allegedly "fell ill" during a walk, fainted, and died quickly. But questions remain about the circumstances surrounding his sudden death.

Cardinal Parolin was speaking on the sidelines of a Mass he presided over at the Church of the Gesù in Rome.
"I saw it on the news, what can I say? I am very sorry; I thought the matter could have been resolved differently. Instead, this news surprises us and fills us with sorrow," the cardinal told reporters outside the church.

According to Great Commission Media Ministries, formerly an atheist, Alexey Navalny found faith in God. Navalny said he came to faith after returning to Moscow in January 2021 following his treatment in Germany for poisoning by the Novichok nerve agent.
When Cardinal Parolin was asked if this event changes the position of the Holy See towards Russia, Parolin replied: "It is premature to say such things... We have just learned about it."Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District released that the anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny "felt unwell" after a walk Friday and "almost immediately lost consciousness."
It stressed that medical staff had been called but that they were unable to resuscitate Navalny. It said the cause of his death was being established.

In recent years, Navalny has faced physical attacks, and repeated arrests, notably, he survived an assassination attempt in 2020 that involved the nerve agent Novichok.

After the Novichok poisoning, he was sent to Germany for treatment, with Navalny waking up and eventually recovering in Berlin's Charite hospital.
Navalny stayed in Germany for several months after his release from hospital.
Navalny chose to return to Moscow in January 2021. Russian authorities detained him at the airport, and the politician has been in prison ever since.
His convictions led to a prison sentence of more than 30 years.

Navalny became the founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and was one of the leaders of the antigovernment protests in 2011-2013, with an unsuccessful run for mayor of Moscow.
 Navalny was sent in December to the notorious "Polar Wolf" colony, officially known as the IK-3 penal colony, about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow.
Please pray for the repose of his soul and his family, wife, Yulia Navalnaya, and 2 children.

Source: Vatican News and GCMMinistries