Outgoing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE said in a farewell message on Friday that he will "continue to pray" for the U.S. and its leaders after he was ousted this week by President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE.

"Know that I will continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and your efforts to make this world a better place than we found it," Tillerson said in a message to the U.S. embassies and consulates, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

The message made no mention of Trump or Tillerson's newly appointed successor, CIA Director Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Trump steps up Iran fight in final election stretch MORE. But he said the department is in good hands with Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, who is temporarily overseeing Tillerson's responsibilities at the State Department.

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The message also offered praise for the U.S. diplomatic corps and urged them to stay the course during the transition process, according to the AP.

"I urge you to remain focused on our shared mission and embrace an orderly and smooth transition process," he wrote. "I have every confidence that you will continue to work diligently to advance our national interests and our values as a nation."

Trump abruptly announced in a tweet on Tuesday that he had fired Tillerson and tapped Pompeo to replace him at the helm of the State Department.

The move brought to an end Tillerson's often-difficult tenure as the nation's top diplomat. In that role, he frequently clashed with Trump on key policy issues ranging from the Iran nuclear deal to the Paris climate accord.

Tillerson said at a State Department press briefing on Tuesday that his last official day as secretary of State would be March 31.

While Sullivan has assumed responsibility for Tillerson's day-to-day work, the secretary of State is still working — at least intermittently — at the department to wrap up paperwork and assist with the transition, Heather Nauert, the acting undersecretary of State for public diplomacy, said Thursday.

"He retains the title of secretary of State," she told reporters at a press briefing. "He is still here in the building."