The following is the telegram of condolences for the death this morning of His Eminence Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, C.S., of the diaconate of Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola, president emeritus of the Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, sent by the Holy Father to his brother, Mr. Angelo De Paolis.

The funeral will take place on Monday 11 September 2017 in the Vatican Basilica at 9.00, and will be celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, along with the cardinals, archbishops and bishops.

Telegram of the Holy Father

MR. ANGELO DE PAOLIS
00019 TIVOLI

I HAVE RECEIVED WITH SADNESS THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF YOUR BELOVED BROTHER, CARDINAL VELASIO DE PAOLIS, C.S., AFTER A LONG AND PAINFUL ILLNESS WHICH HE FACED WITH A SERENE HEART AND TRUSTFUL DOCILITY TO THE WILL OF THE LORD. I WISH TO EXPRESS TO YOU, TO YOUR BROTHERS, TO YOUR SISTER AND TO ALL THE FAMILY MY HEARTFELT PARTICIPATION IN THE MOURNING OF ALL THOSE WHO KNEW AND ESTEEMED THE DECEASED CARDINAL. I WISH TO REMEMBER GRATEFULLY HIS SPECIAL PREPARATION AND COMPETENCE IN THE LEGAL FIELD, OFFERED IN MANY YEARS OF TEACHING IN THE PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITIES FOR THE FORMATION OF THE YOUNG GENERATIONS, ESPECIALLY PRIESTS, AS WELL AS THE OFFICES HE HELD IN SERVICE TO THE HOLY SEE, FIRST AS SECRETARY OF THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL OF THE APOSTOLIC SIGNATURA, THEN AS PRESIDENT OF THE PREFECTURE OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OF THE HOLY SEE, AS WELL AS IN OTHER DELICATE TASKS ENTRUSTED TO HIM, ALWAYS BEARING FRUITFUL WITNESS TO PRIESTLY ZEAL AND FIDELITY TO THE GOSPEL. AS I RAISE FERVENT PRAYERS TO THE LORD THAT, BY THE INTERCESSION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND BLESSED GIOVANNI BATTISTA SCALABRINI, HE GIVE THE DEPARTED CARDINAL THE REWARD PROMISED TO HIS FAITHFUL SERVANTS, I SEND MY HEARTFELT APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO YOU AND TO THOSE WHO MOURN HIS PASSING, WITH A PARTICULAR THOUGHT TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOVINGLY CARED FOR HIM IN THESE RECENT YEARS.

FRANCISCUS PP.

9 September 2017