Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram of condolence last week to Cardinal Giovanni Batista Re, prefect emeritus of the Congregation of Bishops, upon hearing of the death of his father. Matteo Re passed away at the age of 104.
The Supreme Pontiff expressed his sympathy for the Cardinal and his family. “Having learned of the death of your beloved father Matteo, I wish to express my most heartfelt condolences for the deep mourning that has befallen you and your family and assure you of my spiritual closeness in this hour of your sorrow, together with giving thanks to God for all the benefits bestowed upon your late father over his more than one hundred year earthly journey.”
The Holy Father concluded his telegram invoking the blessings of God upon all who mourned over Re;s death. “While I offer fervent prayers to the Lord beseeching that he be welcomed into the eternal joy, I invoke the light of faith and hope in Christ for your family, and impart to you all a special apostolic blessing of comfort,” the Pope wrote.
