A word of gratitude

Yesterday morning, during the first General Congregation, the College of Cardinals agreed that a message of greting and gratitude should be prepared and dispatched to His Holiness, Benedict XVI.  This morning, the Vatican Press Office published the text of the note which was prepared and sent today by His Eminence, Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, on behalf of all of his brother Cardinals.

The message reads:

TO HIS HOLINESS
POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI
CASTEL GANDOLFO

THE CARDINAL FATHERS, GATHERED AT THE VATICAN FOR THE GENERAL CONGREGATIONS IN VIEW OF THE NEXT CONCLAVE, SEND YOU THEIR DEVOTED GREETINGS AND EXPRESS THEIR RENEWED GRATITUDE FOR ALL YOUR BRILLIANT PETRINE MINISTRY AND FOR YOUR EXAMPLE OF GENEROUS PASTORAL CARE FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH AND OF THE WORLD.

WITH THEIR GRATITUDE THEY HOPE TO REPRESENT THE RECOGNITION OF THE ENTIRE CHURCH FOR YOUR TIRELESS WORK IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD.

IN CONCLUSION, THE MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS TRUST IN YOUR PRAYERS FOR THEM, AS WELL AS FOR THE WHOLE CHURCH.

+ CARDINAL ANGELO SODANO
DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS

FROM THE VATICAN, 5 MARCH 2013

The third General Congregation was held this morning, to continue the work of preparing for the Conclave.  A fourth meeting will take place this afternoon, beginning at 5:00pm in the Synod Hall.