The following is the telegram of condolence sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to Bishop Antonino Raspanti of Acireale on the death on Sunday 25 October 2026 of His Eminence Cardinal Paolo Romeo, archbishop emeritus of Palermo, of the Title of Santa Maria Odigitria dei Siciliani:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS MOST REVEREND EXCELLENCY
BISHOP ANTONINO RASPANTI
OF ACIREALE
LARGO GIOVANNI XXIII, 3
95024 ACIREALE

UPON LEARNING OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL PAOLO ROMEO, I WISH TO EXPRESS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO THE ENTIRE DIOCESAN COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS TO THE RELATIVES OF THE LATE CARDINAL, MY PARTICIPATION IN THEIR GRIEF, THINKING WITH AFFECTION OF THIS DEAR BROTHER WHO GENEROUSLY SERVED THE GOSPEL AND THE CHURCH. RECALLING WITH GRATITUDE HIS DEDICATED MINISTRY, FIRST AS A PRIEST IN THE DIOCESE OF ACIRALE, THEN IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE OF THE HOLY SEE, ESPECIALLY AS PONTIFICAL REPRESENTATIVE IN HAITI, COLOMBIA, CANADA, ITALY AND THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO, AND FINALLY AS THE DEDICATED ARCHBISHOP OF PALERMO, I RAISE FERVENT PRAYERS TO THE LORD THAT HE MAY WELCOME HIM INTO HIS PEACE, AND I WARMLY CONFER THE COMFORTING APOSTOLIC BLESSING UPON ALL THOSE WHO MOURN HIS PASSING.

From the Vatican, 25 October 2026

LEO PP. XIV