The following is the telegram of condolence from the Holy Father to the dean of the College of Cardinals, His Eminence Giovanni Battista Re, on the death yesterday, 10 January 2023, of His Eminence Cardinal George Pell, archbishop emeritus of Sydney, Australia, prefect emeritus of the Secretariat for the Economy, of the Title of Santa Maria Domenica Mazzarello:

Telegram of the Holy Father

TO HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL GIOVANNI BATTISTA RE

DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS

VATICAN CITY

I HAVE LEARNED WITH SORROW THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL GEORGE PELL, PREFECT EMERITUS OF THE SECRETARIAT FOR THE ECONOMY. I WISH TO EXPRESS MY CLOSENESS TO YOU AND TO THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS, ESPECIALLY TO HIS DEAR BROTHER DAVID AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY. I OFFER MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES, REMEMBERING WITH HEARTFELT GRATITUDE HIS CONSISTENT AND COMMITTED WITNESS, HIS DEDICATION TO THE GOSPEL AND TO THE CHURCH, AND ESPECIALLY HIS DILIGENT COLLABORATION WITH THE HOLY SEE IN ITS RECENT ECONOMIC REFORM, FOR WHICH HE LAID THE FOUNDATIONS WITH DETERMINATION AND WISDOM. I RAISE PRAYERS FOR THE REPOSE OF THIS FAITHFUL SERVANT, WHO UNWAVERINGLY FOLLOWED HIS LORD WITH PERSEVERANCE EVEN IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL, THAT HE MAY BE RECEIVED INTO THE JOY OF HEAVEN AND RECEIVE THE REWARD OF ETERNAL PEACE. I SEND MY BLESSING TO YOU, TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE CARDINAL AND TO ALL WHO SHARE IN THE MOURNING OF HIS PASSING.

FRANCISCUS