The following is the telegram of condolence on the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, apostolic nuncio in South Africa:

Telegram

THE MOST REVEREND PETER B. WELLS
APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN SOUTH AFRICA
PRETORIA

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, AND HE OFFERS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND LOVED ONES. MINDFUL OF HIS SERVICE TO THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF RACIAL EQUALITY AND RECONCILIATION IN HIS NATIVE SOUTH AFRICA, HIS HOLINESS COMMENDS HIS SOUL TO THE LOVING MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD. UPON ALL WHO MOURN HIS PASSING IN THE SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, POPE FRANCIS INVOKES THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND CONSOLATION IN THE LORD JESUS.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE