Here is the text of the telegram of condolences sent by Pope Francis to Archbishop of Bologna Matteo Maria Zuppi, for the death yesterday of Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, Archbishop Emeritus of Bologna:
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The Holy Father’s Telegram
To His Most Reverend Excellency Monsignor Matteo Maria Zuppi
Archbishop of Bologna
The Archbishopric
Via Altabella, 6 40126
Bologna
I learned with sadness the news of Cardinal Carlo Caffarra’s death. I wish to express to you, to the whole diocesan community of Bologna, and to the relatives of the late Cardinal my heartfelt sharing in their sorrow. I think affectionately of this dear Brother in the Episcopate, who served the Gospel with joy and loved the Church intensely, and I remember with gratitude the generous pastoral work carried out by him first as Founder and docent of the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, then as zealous Pastor of the Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio and later as solicitous and wise guide of that Archdiocese. I raise fervent prayers to the Lord so that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of Saint Petronius, He will receive His faithful servant and distinguished Pastor in the Heavenly Jerusalem, and I impart my heartfelt Apostolic Blessing to you, to the dear Bolognese Church and to all those who knew and esteemed him.
Franciscus PP.
[Original text: Italian] [Translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
