The following is the telegram of condolences for the death yesterday morning of His Eminence Renato Corti, bishop emeritus of Novara, Italy, of the Title of San Giovanni a Porta Latina, sent by Pope Francis to Bishop Franco Giulio Brambilla of Novara;

Telegram of the Holy Father

TO HIS EXCELLENCY BISHOP FRANCO GIULIO BRAMBILLA

OF NOVARA

IN HEARING THE NEWS OF THE PASSING OF DEAR CARDINAL RENATO CORTI, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY CLOSENESS TO YOU AND TO THE ENTIRE DIOCESAN COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS TO THE RELATIVES OF THE DECEASED CARDINAL AND TO THOSE WHO KNEW AND ESTEEMED HIM, THINKING WITH AFFECTION AND ADMIRATION OF THIS BROTHER WHO SERVED THE LORD JESUS AND THE CHURCH WITH EXEMPLARY DEVOTION AND A GENTLE HEART. I THINK WITH GRATITUDE OF THE INTENSE SPIRITUAL AND PASTORAL MINISTRY HE EXERCISED WITHOUT RESERVE, RATHER, GIVING HIMSELF FOR THE GOSPEL, FIRST IN HIS HOME ARCHDIOCESE OF MILAN, IN PARTICULAR IN THE FORMATION OF SEMINARIANS AND PRIESTS AND AS VICAR GENERAL, AND THEN FOR MANY YEARS AS A MEEK AND WISE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN NOVARA. I THINK ALSO OF HIS GENUINE LOVE FOR THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF PREACHING, WHICH HE EXERCISED WITH GREAT GENEROSITY, INSPIRED IN ALL BY THE IMPASSIONED DESIRE TO COMMUNICATE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. I RAISE MY PRAYER TO THE LORD THAT, BY INTERCESSION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, HE MAY WELCOME THIS FAITHFUL SERVANT AND DISTINGUISHED PASTOR IN THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, AND I IMPART MY HEARTFELT APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO THOSE WHO MOURN HIS PASSING, WITH A SPECIAL THOUGHT FOR THOSE WHO LOVINGLY CARED FOR AND ACCOMPANIED HIM IN RECENT TIMES.

FRANCISCUS PP.