The following is the telegram of condolence sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to His Eminence Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome, on the death on Tuesday 16 June 2026 of His Eminence Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar General emeritus of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome and Archpriest emeritus of the Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran, of the Title of Sant’Agnese fuori le mura:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS MOST REVEREND EMINENCE
CARDINAL BALDASSARE REINA
VICAR GENERAL OF HIS HOLINESS
FOR THE DIOCESE OF ROME
LATERAN PALACE
00120 - VATICAN CITY

THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL CAMILLO RUINI, VICAR GENERAL EMERITUS FOR THE DIOCESE OF ROME, EVOKES IN MY HEART FEELINGS OF DEEP SYMPATHY, TOGETHER WITH GRATITUDE TO THE LORD FOR THE GIFT OF THIS ESTEEMED MAN OF THE CHURCH, WHO LIVED HIS MINISTRY WITH GENEROSITY, FIRST IN THE DIOCESE OF REGGIO EMILIA-GUASTALLA IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF THE APOSTOLATE, THEN AS AUXILIARY BISHOP, AND FOR THE REST OF HIS LONG LIFE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THIS DIOCESE AND THE ITALIAN CHURCH. I WISH TO EXPRESS TO YOU, TO THE EPISCOPAL COUNCIL, TO HIS RELATIVES, TO THE ROMAN PRESBYTERY AND TO ALL THE FAITHFUL, MY SOLIDARITY AND MY CONDOLENCES. AS WE REMEMBER THIS EXPERIENCED AND WISE BROTHER, STRENGTHENED BY DEEP FAITH, ACUTE INTELLIGENCE AND FORESIGHT, WHO SERVED WITH DISCRETION AND SELFLESSNESS; I THINK OF HIS FRUITFUL WORK FOR THE ITALIAN EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE AND FOR A PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE WORLD OF CULTURE. I ASK THE LORD, THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE VIRGIN MARY, TO WELCOME HIM INTO THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, AND I WARMLY IMPART THE APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO ALL THOSE WHO MOURN HIS PASSING, WITH A GRATEFUL THOUGHT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CARED FOR HIM WITH SUCH DEDICATION.

From the Vatican, 17 June 2026

LEO PP. XIV