The following is the telegram of condolences for the death yesterday of His Eminence Cardinal Adrianis Johannes Simonis, archbishop emeritus of Utrecht, the Netherlands, of the title of San Clemente, sent by the Holy Father Francis to His Eminence Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, archbishop of Utrecht:

Telegram of the Holy Father

To Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk

Archbishop of Utrecht

Saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis, I send prayerful condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese. Commending his soul to the loving mercy of Jesus the Good Shepherd, I join you in giving thanks to Almighty God for the late Cardinal’s faithful witness to the Gospel, his years of devoted episcopal ministry to the Churches of Rotterdam and Utrecht, and his valued efforts in the service of ecclesial communion. To all who mourn Cardinal Simonis in the sure hope of the Resurrection, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the risen Lord.

FRANCISCUS PP.