Pope Francis has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of Cardinal László Paskai, archbishop emeritus of Esztergom- Budapest, Hungary.
In a telegram sent this morning to Esztergom-Budapest’s current archbishop, Cardinal Péter Erdő, the Holy Father said he was saddened to learn the news of the death of Cardinal Paskai.
While noting he offers prayerful condolences to Cardinal Erdő, clergy, religious and lay faithful of the archdiocese, Pope Francis also said, “I thank Almighty God for his many years of service to the Church in Hungary.”
“In commending his soul to the merciful love of the Father and uniting myself spiritually to all assembled for the solemn funeral rites, I impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord,” the telegram stated.
At the age of 88 and ill with cancer, Cardinal Paskai passed away early this morning. His funeral will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Esztergom-Budapest.
Cardinal Paskai served as the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest from 1987 to 2002. In June of 1988, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the College of Cardinals. With his passing, the College of Cardinals now has 219 cardinals, 120 electors and 99 non-electors.
Born in Szege in 1927, the late Cardinal László Paskai would go on to be ordained a priest in 1951. During his life, many recall his service as an academic and to the Church in Hungary.
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Telegram: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-telegram-for-death-of-cardinal-paskai–2
