The following is the telegram of condolence sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to Archbishop Francisco Chimoio, O.F.M. Cap., apostolic administrator of Xai-Xai, Mozambique, on the death on Monday 3 August of His Eminence Cardinal Júlio Duarte Langa, bishop emeritus of Xai-Xai, of the Title of San Gabriele dell’Addolorata:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS MOST REVEREND EXCELLENCY
ARCHBISHOP FRANCISCO CHIMOIO, O.F.M. CAP.
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF XAI-XAI

UPON LEARNING OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL JÚLIO DUARTE LANGA, BISHOP EMERITUS OF XAI-XAI, I WISH TO EXPRESS AT THIS TIME MY SPIRITUAL SOLIDARITY AND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE EPISCOPATE OF MOZAMBIQUE, TO THE FAMILY OF THIS BELOVED BROTHER, TO THE DIOCESE HE DEVOTEDLY SERVED, AND TO THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, WHICH MOURNS THE LOSS OF SUCH A DISTINGUISHED SHEPHERD. FAITHFUL TO JESUS, MASTER AND LORD, HE LEARNED FROM HIM THE ART OF CLOSENESS IN THE SHEPHERDING OF SOULS, DEVOTING HIMSELF WITH SIMPLICITY, ZEAL AND PERSEVERANCE TO THE FLOCK ENTRUSTED TO HIM, WITHOUT ALLOWING HIMSELF TO BE DISCOURAGED BY DIFFICULTIES, INSTEAD SEEING THEM AS PLACES IN NEED OF THE GOOD NEWS,

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS NECESSARY TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION FOR A FUTURE OF FRATERNITY AMONG ALL MOZAMBICANS. AT THIS TIME, ONE OF LOSS BUT ABOVE ALL OF HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION, AS WE PRAISE GOD FOR THE LONG LIFE OF BISHOP JÚLIO AND FOR THE GRACE OF HIS PRIESTHOOD FOR MOZAMBIQUE AND FOR THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH, I IMPART THE COMFORT OF THE APOSTOLIC BLESSING UPON ALL THOSE PARTICIPATING IN HIS FUNERAL CELEBRATIONS.

LEO PP. XIV