The following is the telegram of condolence on the death last night of the Honourable David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to his wife Ms. Alessandra Vittorini:

Telegram

MS. ALESSANDRA VITTORINI

ROME

THE HOLY FATHER, SPIRITUALLY CLOSE AT THIS TIME OF SORROW FOR THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF YOUR BELOVED HUSBAND, HONOURABLE DAVID SASSOLI, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, WISHES TO EXTEND HIS CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND TO YOUR CHILDREN LIVIA AND GIULIO, ASSURING YOU OF HIS HEARTFELT PARTICIPATION IN THE SOLEMN BEREAVEMENT THAT HAS AFFLICTED ITALY AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. HE IS REMEMBERED AS A BELIEVER ANIMATED BY HOPE AND CHARITY, A COMPETENT JOURNALIST AND AN ESTEEMED MAN OF THE INSTITUTIONS WHO, IN A CALM AND RESPECTFUL MANNER, IN THE PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES HE HELD, DID HIS UTMOST FOR THE COMMON GOOD WITH RECTITUDE AND GENEROUS COMMITMENT, PROMOTING WITH LUCIDITY AND PASSION A VISION OF SOLIDARITY OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND DEVOTING HIMSELF WITH PARTICULAR CARE TO THE LEAST. POPE FRANCIS, WHILE RAISING PRAYERS FOR HIS REPOSE, INVOKES FROM THE RISEN LORD ETERNAL PEACE FOR HIM AND CONSOLATION OF HEART FOR THOSE WHO MOURN HIS PASSING, AND IMPARTS THE APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN

SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS