"To All Who Mourn Cardinal Foley," The Pope's Blessing

Interrupting our coverage of American Catholicism's biggest of feasts -- perhaps fittingly, though, given his vocation -- here below is the freshly-released telegram of Pope Benedict XVI on yesterday's death of John Cardinal Foley, addressed to Archbishop Charles Chaput OFM Cap., ordinary of "His Foleyness'" beloved Philadelphia:

HAVING LEARNED WITH SADNESS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL JOHN PATRICK FOLEY, GRAND MASTER EMERITUS OF THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM, I OFFER YOU MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES.

AS I RECALL WITH GRATITUDE THE LATE CARDINAL’S YEARS OF PRIESTLY MINISTRY IN HIS BELOVED ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADEPHIA, HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE HOLY SEE AS PRESIDENT OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS, AND MOST RECENTLY HIS LABORS ON BEHALF OF THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES OF THE HOLY LAND, I WILLINGLY JOIN YOU IN COMMENDING HIS NOBLE SOUL TO GOD, THE FATHER OF ALL MERCIES. I ALSO PRAY THAT HIS LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH’S PRESENCE IN THE MEDIA WILL INSPIRE OTHERS TO TAKE UP THIS APOSTOLATE SO ESSENTIAL TO THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL AND THE PROGRESS OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION.

TO ALL WHO MOURN CARDINAL FOLEY IN THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, I CORDIALLY IMPART MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF CONSOLATION AND PEACE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

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As previously noted, the precise arrangements and timing for the cardinal's funeral remain to be determined, but will be relayed here once they are decided.

PHOTO: Fr Daniel Good

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