The following is the telegram of condolences for the death in Rome during the night between 25 and 26 September, of His Eminence Cardinal William Joseph Levada, of the Title of Santa Maria in Domnica, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, sent by the Holy Father to Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco:

Telegram of the Holy Father

To The Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone
Archbishop of San Francisco

Having learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal William J. Levada, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco, I hasten to offer my heartfelt condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese. Recalling with immense gratitude the late Cardinal’s years of priestly and episcopal ministry among Christ’s flock in Los Angeles, Portland and San Francisco, his singular contributions to catechesis, education and administration, and his distinguished service to the Apostolic See, I willingly join you in commending his noble soul to the infinite mercies of God our heavenly Father. To all those who mourn Cardinal Levada’s passing in the sure hope of the Resurrection, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord.

FRANCISCUS PP.