Saturday, August 5, 2017

Condolences to Milan

The Holy Father has received news this morning of the death of one of the Cardinals which occurred in the early hours of this day and has sent a telegram of condolence.  Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi was once the Archbishop of Milan (Italy).  Pope Francis' message was addressed to His Eminence, Angelo Scola, the current Apostolic Administrator of Milan and to His Excellency, Mario Delpini, Archbishop Elect of that See.


Telegram of condolence of His Holiness, Pope Francis
for the death of Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi

To His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo Scola
Apostolic Administrator, and

To His Excellency, Mario Delpini
Archbishop Elect of Milan
Piazza Fontana 2
20122 Milan

Having learned the news of the death of the beloved Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, I wish to express my condolences to his family and to the entire Diocesan community which count him among your most illustrious sons and among the most loved and beloved of your pastors.

I think affectionately of him and remember with gratitude the committed and profuse cultural and pastoral work accomplished by this merited brother who during his fruitful life bore witness with joy to the Gospel and served the church in docility, first as a priest of the Archdiocese of Milan, then as Bishop in Ancona-Osimo, as Secretary of the Italian Conference of Bishops, as Archbishop of Genoa, and as Archbishop of the beloved Ambrosian Church (Archdiocese of Milan) before finally serving as Apostolic Administrator of Vigevano, always with distinction as a solicitous pastor, entirely dedicated to the needs and the wellbeing of the priests and all the faithful, with a particular attention to the themes of family, marriage and bioethics, a field in which he was considered to be particularly accomplished.

I raise him in my prayer to the Lord, that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who he loved so much, His faithful servant may now be welcomed into the joy of eternal peace, and with all my heart, I impart my Apostolic Blessing to all those who are saddened by his death, remembering especially all those who have lovingly assisted him during these final days of his illness.

Francis

From the Vatican
5 August 2017

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