The following is the telegram of condolence sent by the Holy Father to Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of Luanda, Angola, on the death last Saturday, 28 September, of His Eminence Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento, archbishop emeritus of Luanda, Angola, of the Title of San Marco in Agro Laurentino:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS REVEREND EXCELLENCY
DOM FILOMENO DO NASCIMENTO VIEIRA DIAS
ARCHBISHOP OF LUANDA

HAVING LEARNED OF THE DEATH OF THE VENERABLE BROTHER CARDINAL ALEXANDRE DO NASCIMENTO, I WISH TO EXPRESS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY, THE AUXILIARY BISHOPS, THE CLERGY, THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES AND ALL THE FAITHFUL OF THIS ARCHDIOCESE, AS WELL AS THE RELATIVES AND ALL THOSE IN ANGOLA WHO MOURN THE PASSING OF THIS DISTINGUISHED PASTOR, THE COMMUNION OF MY PRAYERS, SO THAT NO ONE MAY LACK THE COMFORT OF THE RESURRECTION. I REMEMBER THE CARE GIVEN BY DEAR DOM ALEXANDRE TO HIS FLOCK IN TROUBLED AND DIFFICULT TIMES, HAVING BEEN FOR ALL AN EXPRESSION OF THE MERCIFUL FACE OF JESUS, THE GOOD SAMARITAN OF HUMANITY. FAITH IN CHRIST AND HOPE IN ETERNAL LIFE MADE HIM A COURAGEOUS AND FREE MAN, CAPABLE OF DIRECTING HIS STEPS IN FAVOUR OF THE COMMON GOOD, AND HE EVEN COLLABORATED WITH THIS APOSTOLIC SEE IN HIS ZEAL IN FAVOUR OF THE POOREST AND MOST NEEDY, LEADING CARITAS INTERNATIONAL. FOR ALL THAT THE LORD HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN HIM AND THROUGH HIM, I GIVE THANKS TO GOD, IMPLORING HIM TO ENVELOP THIS FAITHFUL SERVANT OF HIS WITH THE LIGHT OF MERCY AND TO OPEN TO HIM THE DOORS OF FULL LIFE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME IMPARTING MY HEARTFELT BLESSING TO ALL THOSE TAKING PART IN THE FUNERAL.

FRANCISCUS