Pope Francis has sent his condolences on the death of Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit, Cardinal Edmund Casimir, to the Archbishop of Detroit, Allen Henry Vigneron.
The late cardinal served as Archbishop of Detroit from 1981 until 1990 and went on to oversee the Vatican’s government, serving as president of Governatorate of Vatican City State in 1997, and president of the Vatican City State in 2001.
Cardinal Casimir died Wednesday at age 86 in Michigan.
Here is the telegram the Holy Father sent today:
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To The Most Reverend
Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit
Having learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit, I offer heartfelt condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the archdiocese. Recalling with gratitude the late cardinal’s tireless episcopal ministry in Gaylord and Detroit, and his years of service to the Apostolic See and the Vatican City State, I willingly join you in commending the soul of this generous servant of Christ and the Church to the merciful love of God our Heavenly Father. To all who mourn Cardinal Szoka in the hope of the Resurrection I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord.
FRANCISCUS PP.
[Original text: English]
