The following is the telegram of condolence from the Holy Father to Archbishop Roberto Repole of Turin, on the death on Saturday 27 December 2022 of His Eminence Cardinal Severino Poletto, archbishop emeritus of Turin, Italy, of the Title of San Giuseppe in Via Trionfale, deaconry elevated pro hac vice to Prestyberal Title:

Telegram of the Holy Father

TO HIS MOST REVEREND EXCELLENCY

ARCHBISHOP ROBERTO REPOLE OF TURIN

10149 TURIN

ON LEARNING OF THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL SEVERINO POLETTO, I WISH TO EXPRESS TO YOU AND, THROUGH YOU, TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE CARDINAL, THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TURIN AND THE MANY WHO KNEW AND ESTEEMED HIM, MY CONDOLENCES AND PROXIMITY. I THINK OF THIS BROTHER, WHO SPENT HIS LIFE AS A PASTOR OF GOD'S HOLY PEOPLE, FIRST AS PARISH PRIEST IN CASALE, ATTENTIVE TO THE LAITY AND COMMITTED, IN A SPIRIT OF EVANGELICAL SHARING, TO HIS WORK; THEN AS BISHOP OF FOSSANO, DEDICATED ESPECIALLY TO FAMILIES, YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE PROMOTION OF CATECHESIS; AS BISHOP OF ASTI, HE FOSTERED DIOCESAN MISSIONS, APPLYING HIS LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO THE REORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN THE TERRITORY. UPON BECOMING PASTOR OF THIS ARCHDIOCESE, HE DEDICATED HIMSELF TO IT UNSPARINGLY, INSPIRED BY THE DESIRE TO BE CLOSE TO THE PRIESTS AND TO GIVE IMPETUS TO EVANGELISATION, INCLUDING THROUGH MAJOR PUBLIC EVENTS. IN COMMEMORATING THE MINISTRY OF THIS FAITHFUL SERVANT, WHO OFFERED HIS LIFE TO THE LORD AND THE CHURCH WITH RECTITUDE AND COMMITMENT, I COMMEND HIS SOUL TO JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD SO THAT, THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, HE MAY WELCOME HIM INTO THE ETERNAL CITY. I IMPART MY HEARTFELT BLESSING TO ALL THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE FUNERAL RITE.

FRANCIS