The following is the telegram of condolences for the death yesterday, Saturday 13 July 2019, of His Eminence Cardinal Paolo Sardi, of the diaconate of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in via Tuscolana, sent by the Holy Father Francis to Mr. Pietro Angelo Sardi and relatives:

Telegram of the Holy Father

MR. PIETRO ANGELO SARDI

UPON RECEIVDING THE SAD NEWS OF THE PASSING OF CARDINAL PAOLO SARDI, I EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO YOU, YOUR WIFE AND TO ALL HIS RELATIVES, AS WELL AS TO THE DIOCESAN COMMUNITY OF ACQUI. IN THE LIGHT OF FAITH, I GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR THE EDIFYING WITNESS OF THE DECEASED CARDINAL, WHO PLACED THE MAJORITY OF HIS LIFE IN THE SERVICE OF THE HOLY SEE: HIS PRIESTLY SOUL, HIS THEOLOGICAL PREPARATION, HIS GIFTS OF INGENUITY AND WISDOM APPLIED TO DILIGENT AND DISCREET WORK, THROUGH WHICH HE MADE A VALID CONTRIBUTION TO THE TEACHING OF SAINT PAUL VI, JOHN PAUL I, SAINT JOHN PAUL II AND BENEDICT XVI. I JOIN MY PRAYER TO THAT OF THE MANY FAITHFUL WHO APPROACHED THE ALTAR OF THE VATICAN BASILICA, WHERE HE CELEBRATED MASS EVERY DAY. FAITHFUL TO HIS EPISCOPAL MOTTO, “ESTO VIGILANS”, HE WAS A GOOD AND VIGILANT SERVANT, AND I THEREFORE TRUST THAT, ACCOMPANIED BY THE VIRGIN MARY, THE SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, AND THE BISHOP SAINT GUIDO OF ACQUI, HE MAY BE WELCOMED AT THE ETERNAL BANQUET OF HEAVEN.

FRANCIS