The following is the telegram of condolence sent by the Holy Father Francis to His Eminence Cardinal Sérgio da Rocha, metropolitan archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia, on the death yesterday of His Eminence Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, archbishop emeritus of São Salvador da Bahia, of the Title of San Gregorio Magno alla Magliana Nuova:

Telegram of the Holy Father

VENERABLE BROTHER

DOM SÉRGIO CARD. DA ROCHA

METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP OF SÃO SALVADOR DA BAHIA

HAVING RECEIVED WITH DEEP SORROW THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF THE MOST EMINENT CARDINAL GERALDO MAJELLA AGNELO, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS OF THIS PRIMATIAL SEE, I WISH TO ASSURE YOU OF THE PRAYERS I RAISE TO GOD FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF THE VENERABLE PRELATE. MY PRAYERS ARE ALSO OF GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR THE LONG YEARS OF HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE HOLY MOTHER CHURCH, ALWAYS GUIDED BY APOSTOLIC ZEAL, IN THE VARIOUS MISSIONS ENTRUSTED TO HIM AS BISHOP OF TOLEDO, ARCHBISHOP OF LONDRINA, SECRETARY OF THE CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS AND, FINALLY, PRIMATE ARCHBISHOP OF BRAZIL AND PRESIDENT OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE. AS A PLEDGE OF CONSOLATION AND HOPE IN ETERNAL LIFE, I SEND MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO YOUR EMINENCE AND ALL THOSE UNITED IN PRAYER FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF DOM GERALDO MAJELLA.

FRANCISCUS PP.