VATICAN CITY, MARCH 13, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Heartfelt sympathy is expressed in the telegram that the Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, sent yesterday in Pope Benedict XVI’s name, to the Archbishop of Vercelli, Enrico Masseroni, on the occasion of the funeral of engineer Francesco Lamolinara.
The Italian technician, kidnapped in Nigeria on May 12, 2011, was killed together with his British colleague, Christopher McManus, last Thursday, March 8, during a military action intended to free them.
The Holy Father “wishes to send his relatives the expression of his sympathy and assure them of his heartfelt participation in the grave mourning that has stricken them.”
Raising “fervent prayer of Christian intercession” for the soul of the deceased, Benedict XVI recalled “the generous disposition towards his neighbor” of the late engineer and his ”essential contribution to peaceful coexistence among peoples.”
“I unite myself profoundly to your sorrow and prayer,” writes the Pope in concluding the telegram, adding “I am close to the relatives and friends I met in August to sustain their hope in this very difficult moment.”
The Holy Father confers his “comforting Apostolic Blessing” on the relatives, fellow citizens of Gattinara and all those who took part in the funeral service.
