Appresa la notizia della morte del Presidente dell’Autorità Palestinese Yasser Arafat, il Santo Padre ha disposto l’invio del seguente messaggio di cordoglio tramite il Cardinale Segretario di Stato Angelo Sodano:

To His Excellency
Mr. RAWHI FATTUH
President of the Palestinian Legislative Council

IN THIS HOUR OF SADNESS AT THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT YASSER ARAFAT, HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II IS PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO THE DECEASED’S FAMILY, THE AUTHORITIES AND THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. WHILE ENTRUSTING HIS SOUL INTO THE HANDS OF THE ALMIGHTY AND MERCIFUL GOD, THE HOLY FATHER PRAYS TO THE PRINCE OF PEACE THAT THE STAR OF HARMONY WILL SOON SHINE ON THE HOLY LAND AND THAT THE TWO PEOPLES DWELLING THEREIN MAY LIVE RECONCILED AMONG THEMSELVES AS TWO INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN STATES.

TO THE CONDOLENCES OF HIS HOLINESS, I CORDIALLY ADJOIN MY OWN

CARDINAL ANGELO SODANO
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS

[01789-02.01] [Original text: English]

[B0554-XX.01]