The following is the telegram of condolence sent by the Holy Father Francis to Archbishop Felix Toppo, S.J., of Ranchi, India, on the death yesterday of His Eminence Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, archbishop emeritus of the same archdiocese, of the Title of Sacro Cuore di Gesù agonizzante in Vitinia:

Telegram of the Holy Father

THE MOST REVEREND FELIX TOPPO

ARCHBISHOP OF RANCHI

HAVING LEARNED WITH SADNESS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL TELESPHORE TOPPO, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS OF RANCHI, PLEASE ACCEPT MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES WHICH I EXTEND ALSO TO THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY FAITHFUL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE.  JOINING YOU IN COMMENDING HIS NOBLE SOUL TO THE INFINITE MERCIES OF GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, I RECALL WITH IMMENSE GRATITUDE THE LATE CARDINAL’S YEARS OF DEDICATED PRIESTLY AND EPISCOPAL MINISTRY TO THE LOCAL CHURCHES OF DUMKA AND RANCHI, AS WELL AS HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WIDER CHURCH IN INDIA AND TO THE APOSTOLIC SEE.  HIS SERVICE WAS ALWAYS MARKED BY ZEAL FOR THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL, DEVOTION TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST AND GENEROUS PASTORAL CARE OF THE POOR AND THOSE IN NEED.  TO ALL WHO MOURN CARDINAL TOPPO’S PASSING IN THE SURE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, I CORDIALLY IMPART MY BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF CONSOLATION AND PEACE IN THE LORD.

FRANCISCUS