Pope Francis has sent his heartfelt condolences to Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna of Malta, for the death of the archbishop’s father, Emanuel.
According to the Malta Independent, the Holy Father, through Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sent a telegram to the archbishop, saying he was saddened to hear of the death of his beloved father.
On July 3 in a Rome hospital, Emanuel died at 85 years old. He is survived by his wife Maria Carmela and their other children Monica, Josette and Jesmond.
The telegram stated, “His Holiness gives thanks for Emanuel’s life, faith and all the good that he did during his time here on earth, and joins in praying to God the Father of all consolation for his eternal rest. To you, your mother, your sisters, brother and all the members of your family, as well as those who mourn Emanuel’s passing, the Holy Father willingly imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in Christ the risen Lord.”
Archbishop Scicluna, before serving as Archbishop of Malta, was Promoter of Justice in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. On February 25, 2015, the Vatican announced his appointment as Archbishop of Malta.
Yesterday, the archbishop’s father’s funeral took place at St. Sebastian parish church in Qormi, where Mass was held at 3.30 p.m. followed by a private burial in the family vault at Lija cemetery.
Archbishop Scicluna delivered the homily at the funeral Mass, in which he reflected on what good parents his were, before speaking specifically on his father.
