Pope Francis says he shares in the mourning for the loss of a «sincere and diligent collaborator of the Holy See,» Cardinal Gilberto Austoni.
The Holy Father expressed this in a telegram of condolences to Luisa Santandrea, niece of the former prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, who died Saturday at the age of 96.
To the relatives of the deceased, the Pope expressed his profound participation in the mourning of those who knew and esteemed the cardinal, for many years a “sincere and diligent collaborator of the Holy See, in particular as prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, bearing witness to priestly zeal and loyalty to the Gospel.”
Francis raised his fervent prayers to the Lord Jesus that, through Mary’s intercession, He may grant to the departed cardinal, the eternal reward promised to His faithful disciples.
Pope Francis concluded, imparting his Apostolic Blessing to the late cardinal’s niece and to the religious Daughters of Santa Maria di Leuca, who assisted him, and those who mourn his passing.
