The following is the telegram of condolences for the death, last Saturday, of His Eminence Cardinal Marian Jaworski, archbishop emeritus of Lviv of the Latins, of the title of San Sisto, sent by Pope Francis to Archbishop Marek Jądraszewski, metropolitan of Kraków:

Telegram of the Holy Father

To His Most Reverend Excellency

Mons. MAREK JĄDRASZEWSKI

Metropolitan Archbishop of KRAKÓW

With deep sorrow I heard the news of the death of His Eminence Cardinal Marian Jaworski. In prayer for his repose I join Your Excellency and all the faithful of the Church in Poland and Ukraine, especially in the archdiocese of Krakow, the diocese of Zamość-Lubaczów and the archdiocese of Lviv. I thank the Lord for the life and apostolic ministry of this faithful witness to the Gospel.

With gratitude I recall his academic commitment as a respected man of science and professor of theology and philosophy at the Universities of Warsaw, Kraków and Lviv; as Dean and first rector of the Pontifical Academy of Theology in Kraków. Saint John Paul II often emphasised his special and valuable contribution to scientific development.

The episcopal motto "Mihi vivere Christus est” accompanied him throughout his life and defined his way of thinking, evaluating, making choices and decisions, and defining the perspectives of various research projects.

He was a cordial friend to Saint John Paul II. He supported him in the efforts of the episcopal and papal ministry. He also administered the Sacrament of the anointing of the sick to the dying Pope. As a philosopher and theologian he collaborated closely with Pope Benedict XVI. I am personally united with him by the date of the Consistory of the year 2001, when we were both created cardinals.

In the hearts of those who knew him, he remains as an extremely just, sincere, courageous man who loved the Church. He bore worthy witness to priestly zeal, erudition, fidelity to the Gospel and responsibility for the community of believers. May the merciful Jesus Christ, to whom Cardinal Marian, of honoured memory, dedicated his life, welcome him in His glory.

To Your Excellency, to the Most Eminent Cardinals, present at the funeral, to the bishops, to the family of the deceased, to the people of God of the Church in Poland and Ukraine and to all those taking part in the latter, I send my heartfelt blessing: in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

From the Vatican, 7 September 2020

FRANCIS