È deceduto nel pomeriggio di ieri, giovedì 29 agosto, il Cardinale Medardo Joseph Mazombwe, del Titolo di Santa Emerenziana a Tor Fiorenza, Arcivescovo emerito di Lusaka (Zambia).
Pubblichiamo di seguito il telegramma di cordoglio per la morte del Porporato, inviato dal Santo Padre Francesco all’attuale Arcivescovo di Lusaka:

THE MOST REVEREND TELESPHORE GEORGE MPUNDU
ARCHBISHOP OF LUSAKA

I WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL MEDARDO JOSEPH MAZOMBWE, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS OF LUSAKA. I OFFER TO YOU, THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY FAITHFUL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES AND THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS. WITH GRATITUDE TO ALMIGHTY GOD, I RECALL HIS UNFAILING COMMITMENT TO THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL IN AFRICA AND HIS TIRELESS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE POOR. I JOIN YOU AND ALL WHO MOURN CARDINAL MAZOMBWE IN PRAYING THAT GOD THE FATHER OF MERCIES MAY GRANT HIM THE REWARD OF HIS LABOURS AND WELCOME HIS NOBLE SOUL INTO THE PEACE AND JOY OF HEAVEN. TO ALL ASSEMBLED FOR THE SOLEMN FUNERAL MASS, I CORDIALLY IMPART MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF STRENGTH AND CONSOLATION IN THE LORD.

FRANCISCUS PP.

[01192-02.01] [Original text: English]

[B0541-XX.01]