The following is the telegram of condolence from the Holy Father to the Most Reverend Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus, S.D.B., archbishop of Quito, Ecuador, on the death of His Eminence Cardinal Raúl Eduardo Vela Chiriboga, of the titular church of Santa Maria in Via, archbishop emeritus of Quito, Ecuador:

Telegram of the Holy Father

TO HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP ALFREDO JOSÉ ESPINOZA MATEUS, S.D.B.

OF QUITO

UPON RECEIVING NEWS OF THE PASSING OF CARDINAL RAÚL EDUARDO VELA CHIRIBOGA, I EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR EXCELLENCY, PRAYING THAT YOU MAY BE SO KIND AS TO CONVEY THEM TO THE RELATIVES OF THE DECEASED PRELATE AND TO THOSE WHO FORM PART OF THIS ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY,

LIKEWISE, RECALLING THE SELFLESS PASTOR WHO FOR YEARS AND WITH FIDELITY GAVE HIS LIFE TO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND THE CHURCH, I OFFER PRAYERS FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF HIS SOUL, SO THAT THE LORD JESUS MAY BESTOW UPON HIM THE CROWN OF GLORY THAT DOES NOT FADE, AND TO ALL I IMPART THE APOSTOLIC BLESSING, AS A SIGN OF CHRISTIAN HOPE IN THE RISEN LORD.

FRANCIS