VATICAN CITY, NOV. 8, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Paolo Bertoli died this morning in a clinic in Rome. He was 93.
John Paul II will preside over the cardinal´s funeral rites Friday in St. Peter´s Basilica.
In a telegram sent today to the cardinal´s niece, the Pope remembered the deceased as the «sincere and diligent collaborator of the Holy See,» who everywhere «rendered» much «appreciated testimony of fervent zeal and fidelity to the Gospel.»
Paolo Bertoli, born in Poggio Garfagnana in Italy in 1908, was made a cardinal by Paul VI in 1969. He was later appointed prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
Following his episcopal ordination in 1952, he was apostolic nuncio in Colombia, Lebanon and France.
The College of Cardinals now has 178 cardinals, including 130 electors.