Moscow - Alexi II, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, died at his home Friday at the age of 79, reported the church.
Alexi II was the head of the church in Russia since 1990. Born Alexei Ruediger, he had ethnic ties to Germany and the Baltic region.

While Alexi II had backed incremental moves to improve ties to the Catholic church, he had, until his death, opposed a visit to Russia by the Catholic pope, arguing that the Catholic church was trying to proselytize in Russia.

The Roman Catholic Church praised Alexi II for his work to improve ties, despite "difficulties and tensions" a top Vatican official said Friday.

The president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Walter Kasper, said Alexi had instilled "renewed interior vitality" to the Russian Orthodox Church helping it to "face the challenges of transition from the Soviet era."

Kasper who met Alexi on several occasions, praised the patriarch for always "expressing his goodwill towards the Holy Father (the pope)"

Alexi's committment to improving relations with the Catholic Church "has never been in doubt," Kasper said.