The following is the telegram of condolence sent by the Holy Father Francis to Archbishop Paul Gerard Martin, S.M. of Wellington, New Zealand, on the death yesterday, Friday 22 December 2023, of His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Stafford Williams, archbishop emeritus of Wellington, of the Title of Gesù Divin Maestro alla Pineta Sacchetti:

Telegram of the Holy Father

TO THE MOST REVEREND
PAUL MARTIN
ARCHBISHOP OF WELLINGTON

SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL THOMAS STAFFORD WILLIAMS, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS OF WELLINGTON, I SEND PRAYERFUL CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND TO THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY FAITHFUL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE. RECALLING WITH IMMENSE GRATITUDE THE LATE CARDINAL’S MANY YEARS OF PRIESTLY AND EPISCOPAL MINISTRY AMONG CHRIST’S FLOCK IN NEW ZEALAND AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHURCH THROUGHOUT OCEANIA, I WILLINGLY JOIN YOU IN COMMENDING HIS NOBLE SOUL TO THE LOVE AND MERCY OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. TO ALL WHO MOURN CARDINAL WILLIAMS IN THE SURE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, I CORDIALLY IMPART MY BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF CONSOLATION AND PEACE IN THE RISEN LORD.

FRANCISCUS PP.