The following is the telegram of condolence from the Holy Father to Bishop John Joale Tlhomola of the Servants of Christ the Priest, bishop of Mohale’s Hoek, Lesotho, on the death on Saturday 17 April of His Eminence Cardinal Sebastian Koto Khoarai, O.M.I. of the Titular church of San Leonardo da Porto Maurizio ad Acilia:

Telegram of the Holy Father

THE RIGHT REVEREND JOHN J. TLHOMOLA

BISHOP OF MOHALE’S HOEK

HAVING LEARNED WITH SADNESS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL SEBASTIAN KOTO KHOARAI, I EXTEND MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND TO THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAITY OF THE DIOCESE OF MOHALE’S HOEK. WITH GRATITUDE FOR CARDINAL KHOARAI’S WITNESS OF CONSECRATED LIFE AS AN OBLATE OF MARY IMMACULATE, HIS LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO THE PROMOTION OF VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND HIS DEDICATION TO THE CHURCH’S EDUCATIONAL APOSTOLATE IN LESOTHO, I WILLINGLY JOIN YOU IN PRAYING THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER MAY GRANT HIM THE REWARD OF HIS TIRELESS LABOURS AND WELCOME HIS NOBLE SOUL INTO THE JOY OF HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM. TO ALL WHO MOURN THE LATE CARDINAL’S PASSING IN THE SURE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION I CORDIALLY IMPART MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF CONSOLATION AND PEACE IN JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR.

FRANCISCUS PP.