Friday, December 6, 2013

Condolences to South Africa

This morning, the Vatican Press Office published the text of the message of condolence which His Holiness, Pope Francis sent to the President of the Republic of South Africa yesterday.


Message of Condolence sent by His Holiness, Pope Francis
to the President of the Republic of South Africa
His Excellency, Mister Jacob Zuma

To His Excellency, Mister Jacob Zuma
President of the Republic of South Africa
Pretoria

It was with sadness that I learned of the death of former President Nelson Mandela, and I send prayerful condolences to all the Mandela family, to the members of the Government and to all the people of South Africa.  In commending the soul of the deceased to the infinite mercy of Almighty God, I ask the Lord to console and strengthen all who mourn is loss.  Paying tribute to the steadfast commitment shown by Nelson Mandela in promoting the human dignity of all the nation's citizens and in forging a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation and truth, I pray that the late President's example will inspire generations of South Africans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their political aspirations.  With these sentiments, I invoke upon all the people of South Africa divine gifts of peace and prosperity.

Francis, Pope

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