The following is the telegram of condolences for the death this morning of His Eminence Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, of the Title of San Benedetto fuori Porta San Paolo, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, sent by the Holy Father Francis to Ms. Maria Luisa and Ms. Angela Silvestrini:

Telegram of the Holy Father

DEAR MS.
MARIA LUISA AND ANGELA SILVESTRINI

I HAVE LEARNED OF THE PASSING OF CARDINAL ACHILLE SILVESTRINI, AND I WISH TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY, TO THOSE WHO KNEW HIM AND HELD HIM IN HIGH ESTEEM, AND TO THE DIOCESAN COMMUNITY OF FAENZA-MODIGLIANA, OF WHICH HE IS ONE OF THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SONS. I REMEMBER WITH A GRATEFUL HEART HIS DECADES-LONG COLLABORATION WITH THE HOLY SEE IN THE SERVICE OF SEVEN PAPACIES: FIRST IN THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE, THEN AS PREFECT OF THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL OF THE APOSTOLIC SIGNATURA, AND FINALLY AS PREFECT OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES. HE LEAVES THE MEMORY OF A LIFE SPENT FOLLOWING HIS VOCATION AS A PRIEST ATTENTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, A SKILLED AND FLEXIBLE DIPLOMAT, A PASTOR FAITHFUL TO THE GOSPEL AND TO THE CHURCH. I RAISE PRAYERS THAT THE LORD WELCOME HIM IN ETERNAL JOY AND PEACE, AND I SENT TO THOSE WHO SHARE IN THE SUFFERING FOR HIS PASSING THE COMFORT OF AN APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

FRANCISCUS PP