Vatican City, Nov 20, 2017 / 11:05 am
Pope Francis sent a telegram Monday for the death of long-time Vatican diplomat Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, who died in Rome Sunday at the age of 92.
His death, the Pope wrote Nov. 20, "raises in my soul a feeling of sincere admiration for an esteemed man of the Church who lived with fidelity his long and fruitful priesthood and episcopate serving the gospel and the Holy See."
Pope Francis offered his prayers for Cardinal Montezemolo's welcome, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Paul, "into joy and eternal peace," and for those who mourn the death of this "zealous pastor."
The Pope also expressed his gratitude for the cardinal's many years of "generous work" as an apostolic nuncio, and the wisdom with which he devoted himself to the good of people in countries around the world.