Following the death of Bishop Pierfranco Pastore at age 88, Pope Francis has sent his «heartfelt condolences» to the relatives of the prelate well-known in Vatican communications.
According to Vatican Radio, the Holy Father sent his condolences via a telegram sent by his secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Pope also imparted his Apostolic blessing to those attending Bishop Pastore’s funeral Tuesday morning.
«While remembering with a grateful spirit the generous work performed with intelligence and passion in service of the Gospel and the Holy See, especially in the field of social communications,» the telegram said, the Holy Father also raises «a fervent prayer for the repose of his soul.»
Bishop Pastore was named secretary for the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in 1984 and retired from the post in 2003, when he was 76. He also worked with Vatican Radio for many years.
Pierfranco Pastore was born April 21, 1927, in Varallo Sesia, Italy, and ordained to the priesthood on June 25, 1950.
Below is the Vatican Radio translation of the papal telegram:
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Having learned of the news of the death of his Excellency, Pierfranco Pastore, the Holy Father wishes to extend to the family of the departed his heartfelt condolences and, while remembering with a grateful spirit the generous work performed with intelligence and passion in service of the Gospel and the Holy See, especially in the field of social communications, he raises a fervent prayer for the repose of his soul, and from the heart sends those who mourn his passing the comfort of the Apostolic Blessing extended to everyone present at the funeral.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State to His Holiness
[Translation by Vatican Radio]
