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The Very Reverend Father Adolfo Nicolas Pachon,
Superior General of the Society of Jesus
Borgo S.Spirito,
00193 ROME
The news of the passing of the venerable Cardinal Karl Josef Becker arouses in my heart an affectionate lament and the desire to express by sentiments of profound sympathy to you and to the whole Society of Jesus, recalling with profound gratitude the intense and exemplary service carried out for many years by the late Cardinal in teaching, in the formation of the new generations, especially of priests, in theological research, as well as in service to the Holy See. I elevate fervent prayers to the Lord that, through the intercession of the Holy Virgin and of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, He may give to the deceased Cardinal the eternal reward promised to His faithful disciples and I send to you and to all those who knew him, appreciating his gifts of mind and heart, my heartfelt comforting Apostolic Blessing.
Franciscus PP.
[Original text: Italian] [Translation by ZENIT]