The following is the telegram of condolence from the Holy Father to Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo, Spain, on the death today of His Eminence Cardinal Francisco Álvarez Martínez, archbishop emeritus of Toledo, Spain, of the title of Santa Maria “Regina Pacis” a Monte Verde:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP FRANCISCO CERRO CHAVES

OF TOLEDO

ON RECEIVING THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL FRANCISCO ÁLVAREZ MARTÍNEZ, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS OF TOLEDO, I EXPRESS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY MY FEELINGS OF SORROW, ASKING YOU TO KINDLY CONVEY THEM TO THE RELATIVES OF THE DECEASED PRELATE AND TO ALL THOSE WHO FORM PART OF THIS ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY.

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

FRANCISCO PP.