The following is the telegram of condolences for the death yesterday morning of His Eminence Carlo Caffarra of the title of San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini, archbishop emeritus of Bologna, sent by the Holy Father Francis to H.E. Msgr. Matteo Maria Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna.

Telegram of the Holy Father

To His Excellency
Msgr. Matteo Maria Zuppi
Archbishop of Bologna
Archbishopric – Via Altabella, 6
40126 BOLOGNA

I HAVE LEARNED WITH SADNESS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL CARLO CAFFARRA. I WISH TO EXPRESS TO YOU, TO THE ENTIRE DIOCESAN COMMUNITY OF BOLOGNA AND TO THE RELATIVES OF THE DECEASED MY HEARTFELT PARTICIPATION IN THEIR MOURNING. I THINK WITH AFFECTION OF THIS DEAR BROTHER IN THE EPISCOPATE, WHO SERVED THE GOSPEL WITH JOY AND LOVED THE CHURCH INTENSELY, AND I REMEMBER WITH GRATITUDE HIS GENEROUS PASTORAL WORK FIRST AS FOUNDER OF AND LECTURER AT THE PONTIFICAL JOHN PAUL II INSTITUTE FOR STUDIES ON MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, THEN AS A ZEALOUS PASTOR OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF FERRARA-COMACCHIO, AND SUBSEQUENTLY AS THE ATTENTIVE AND WISE GUIDE OF THIS ARCHDIOCESE. I RAISE FERVENT PRAYERS TO THE LORD THAT, BY THE INTERCESSION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND ST. PETRONIUS, HE WELCOME THIS FAITHFUL SERVANT AND DISTINGUISHED PASTOR IN THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, AND I IMPART A HEARTFELT BLESSING TO YOU, TO THE DEAR BOLOGNESE CHURCH AND TO ALL THOSE WHO KNEW AND ESTEEMED HIM, MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

FRANCISCUS PP.