Imedi /  21 March 2026, 13:11 / Reliable source

Georgian PM Kobakhidze meets Orbán in Budapest, receives condolences over passing of Patriarch Ilia II

Photo: Georgian Government

Irakli Kobakhidze
Viktor Orbán

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday met with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán in Budapest, where the two leaders discussed recent developments and bilateral relations.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Hungarian PM extended his condolences to the Georgian government over the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II. Orbán also expressed gratitude to Kobakhidze for visiting Budapest during such a difficult time for the Georgian nation.

During the talks, Kobakhidze emphasised once again the historic and epochal role that Ilia II played in the history of Georgia and the spiritual life of its people, highlighting his lasting legacy.

As part of his visit, the Georgian PM is scheduled to participate in the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest later today. His speech at the conference will be dedicated to the memory and contributions of the Catholicos-Patriarch.

All News

Photo: Administration of Government

21 March 2026, 15:08

Politics

Georgian PM says Georgia will pursue European Integration without compromising core values

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday reaffirmed the country’s commitment to European integration while emphasising the importance of preserving national identity, faith, and sovereignty during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest.

Photo: GettyImages

21 March 2026, 14:53

Politics

Orbán hails Georgian PM Kobakhidze as “champion of patriots” at CPAC Hungary

During his keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Saturday offered high praise for his Georgian counterpart Irakli Kobakhidze, describing him as a “champion of patriots from the Caucasus”.

Photo: Administration of Government

21 March 2026, 14:42

Politics

Georgian PM credits Orbán’s leadership in strengthening defence of national interests

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday delivered a keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, highlighting the deep-rooted and expanding relationship between Georgia and Hungary.

Photo: Georgian Government

21 March 2026, 14:30

Politics

PM Kobakhidze highlights Georgia’s stability, voices hope for regional peace

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, highlighting his government's commitment to peace and economic resilience in an increasingly fragmented global landscape.

Photo: GettyImages

21 March 2026, 12:36

Society

Netherlands FM: Patriarch Ilia II served as pillar of faith, unity through turbulent periods in Georgia’s history

Minister of foreign affairs of the Netherlands Tom Berendsen on Saturday extended his condolences to the Georgian Orthodox Church and the “grieving” Georgian people following the passing of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, highlighting his role as a pillar of faith and unity.

Photo: Administration of Government

21 March 2026, 12:28

Politics

Georgian PM to address Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze is set to deliver a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, where key global conservative leaders have gathered.

Photo: REUTERS

20 March 2026, 21:50

Society

Slovak State Secretary: Georgian Patriarch Ilia II left behind legacy that transcends borders of his country

Slovak State Secretary Rastislav Chovanec on Friday expressed condolences to the Georgian people following the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, highlighting his enduring legacy and role as a symbol of stability and faith.

Photo: REUTERS

20 March 2026, 21:25

Society

Belarusian President honours Ilia II’s lifelong service to faith, humanity

Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko on Friday extended his condolences to Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili following the passing of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, honouring his lifelong service to faith and humanity.

Photo: GettyImages

20 March 2026, 21:23

Society

UAE President emphasises immense loss felt by Georgian Orthodox Church following passing of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II

President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday extended his condolences to Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili following the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

Photo: Imedi TV

20 March 2026, 21:12

Society

Hungarian President: Patriarch Ilia II faithfully served both Church and people of Georgia

Hungarian president Tamás Sulyok on Friday expressed his condolences to the Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili following the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, praising his decades-long service to the Church and the Georgian people.

Photo: Facebook

20 March 2026, 18:35

Society

Pope Leo XIV: throughout his long life, Patriarch Ilia II was devoted witness to faith in the Risen Christ

Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow over the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, praising his lifelong service to the Georgian people and his role as a spiritual leader during times of hardship and transformation.

20 March 2026, 15:39

Society

Vatican delegation led by Cardinal Kurt Koch to attend funeral of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II

According to information provided by the Vatican Embassy, a high-level delegation from the Vatican, led by Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, will visit Georgia to attend the funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

Photo: Getty Images

20 March 2026, 14:48

Society

Serbian FM: Patriarch Ilia II will always be remembered for his spiritual mission, his dedication to faith, peace, unity

Serbia’s minister of foreign affairs Marko Đurić has sent a letter of condolence to his Georgian counterpart Maka Botchorishvili, expressing deep sorrow over the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

20 March 2026, 13:09

Society

Council of Europe honours late Patriarch Ilia II by lowering European flag to half-mast

The European flag in front of the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg has been lowered to half-mast following the passing of His Holiness Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

20 March 2026, 12:45

Society

US officials honour Patriarch Ilia II, sign book of condolences

The acting US deputy secretary of state Peter Andreoli on Friday left a message in the book of condolences opened for the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II.

Photo: Getty Images

20 March 2026, 11:14

Society

US Secretary of State: spiritual leadership, enduring legacy of Patriarch Ilia II will be remembered for generations to come

US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Thursday expressed condolences to the Georgian people and the Orthodox Church following the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II.

Ali Asadov

19 March 2026, 22:04

Society

Azerbaijani Prime Minister honours legacy of Patriarch Ilia II

Azerbaijani prime minister Ali Asadov on Thursday expressed condolences to his Georgian counterpart Irakli Kobakhidze on the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II.

19 March 2026, 21:04

Society

Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III honours legacy of Ilia II in message of condolence

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem has extended his heartfelt condolences to the people of Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church following the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

Zsolt Semjén

19 March 2026, 20:11

Society

Hungarian Deputy PM: Christians around world regarded Patriarch Ilia II as beacon of faith and spirituality, true pillar of Georgian nation

Hungarian deputy prime minister Zsolt Semjén on Wednesday shared his deep sorrow over the loss of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.