The following is the telegram of condolence from the Holy Father on the death yesterday of His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State emeritus and Dean emeritus of the College of Cardinals, of the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano and in commendam of the title of Santa Maria Nuova, sent to the late Cardinal’s sister, Ms. Maria Sodano:

Telegram of the Holy Father

DEAR MS MARIA SODANO

ISOLA D’ASTI

THE PASSING OF CARDINAL ANGELO SODANO STIRS IN MY SOUL SENTIMENTS OF GRATITUDE TO THE LORD FOR THE GIFT OF THIS ESTEEMED MAN OF THE CHURCH, WHO LIVED HIS PRIESTHOOD WITH GENEROSITY, FIRST IN THE DIOCESE OF ASTI AND THEN, FOR THE REST OF HIS LONG LIFE, IN THE SERVICE OF THE HOLY SEE. I REMEMBER HIS DILIGENT WORK ALONGSIDE MANY OF MY PREDECESSORS, WHO ENTRUSTED IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES TO HIM IN VATICAN DIPLOMACY, CULMINATING IN THE DELICATE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE. IN THE PONTIFICAL REPRESENTATIONS IN ECUADOR, URUGUAY AND CHILE, HE DEVOTED HIMSELF ZEALOUSLY TO THE GOOD OF THOSE POPULATIONS, PROMOTING DIALOGUE AND RECONCILIATION. IN THE ROMAN CURIA HE CARRIED OUT HIS MISSION WITH EXEMPLARY DEDICATION. I TOO WAS ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM HIS GIFTS OF THE MIND AND OF THE HEART, ESPECIALLY WHILE HE EXERCISED THE ROLE OF DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS. IN EVERY TASK HE SHOWED HIMSELF TO BE AN ECCLESIALLY DISCIPLINED MAN, AND AN AMIABLE PASTOR, INSPIRED BY THE DESIRE TO SPREAD THE LEAVEN OF THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE. TO GOD THE MERCIFUL FATHER I RAISE PRAYERS FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF THE LATE CARDINAL, THAT HE MAY WELCOME HIM IN ETERNAL JOY, AND AS I EXPRESS MY CLOSENESS TO THE RELATIVES AND THE COMMUNITY OF ASTI, I SEND MY BLESSING TO ALL THOSE WHO MOURN HIS PASSING, WITH A SPECIAL AND GRATEFUL THOUGHT TO THE SISTERS OF SANTA MARTA AND THOSE WHO LOVINGLY ASSISTED HIM.

FRANCISCUS PP.