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To My Venerable Brother
Cardinal Oswald Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay
Having learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal Simon Ignatius Pimenta, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay, I offer heartfelt condolences to you and to all the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese. Recalling with gratitude Cardinal Pimenta’s long years of devoted service to the Catholic community there and his many years of faithful assistance to the successor of Peter as a member of the College of Cardinals, I join you in praying that God our Merciful Father will grant him the reward of his labours and welcome his noble soul into the joy and peace of the Heavenly Kingdom. To Cardinal Pimenta’s relatives and all assembled for the Solemn Requiem Mass I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord.
FRANCISCUS PP.
