The following is the telegram of condolences for the death this morning of His Eminence Cardinal Joachim Meisner, of the title of Santa Pudenziana, archbishop emeritus of Köln, Germany, sent by the Holy Father Francis to His Eminence Cardinal Rainer Woelki, archbishop of Köln:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL RAINER WOELKI
ARCHBISHOP OF KÖLN
KÖLN

IT IS WITH DEEP EMOTION THAT I HAVE LEARNED THE NEWS THAT CARDINAL JOACHIM MEISNER HAS BEEN CALLED FROM THIS EARTH BY THE GOD OF MERCY. I AM CLOSE TO YOU AND TO ALL THE FAITHFUL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KÖLN IN PRAYER FOR THE LATE PASTOR. WITH PROFOUND FAITH AND SINCERE LOVE FOR THE CHURCH, CARDINAL MEISNER DEVOTED HIMSELF TO THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOOD NEWS. MAY CHRIST THE LORD RECOMPENSE HIM FOR HIS FAITHFUL AND INTREPID COMMITMENT TO THE GOOD OF MEN OF BOTH EAST AND WEST, AND MAKE HIM A PARTICIPANT IN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS IN HEAVEN. I HEARTILY IMPART MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO ALL THOSE WHO COMMEMORATE THE LATE PASTOR WITH PRAYER AND SACRIFICE.

POPE FRANCIS