On learning of the death of Cardinal Michele Giordano, Archbishop emeritus of Naples, on Thursday, 2 December, at the age of 80, the Holy Father sent a telegram to Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Archbishop of Naples, expressing his condolences. The following is a translation of the Italian text of the Pope’s Telegram, released on Saturday, 4 December. See our next issue for a brief biography of the late Cardinal.

Having learned with sorrow the news of the death of Cardinal Michele Giordano, Archbishop emeritus of Naples, I wish to express to you, your Eminence and to the entire diocesan community, as well as to the relatives of the beloved Cardinal my profound participation in their grief, as I think with affection to this dear Brother who generously served the Gospel and the Church. Remembering with gratitude to the Lord the intense pastoral work, which he first carried out in Tursilagonegro, then in Matera-Irsina and finally in the Neapolitan Archdiocese, I raise fervent prayers to the Lord that he may welcome him into his peace and I cordially impart the comfort of the Apostolic Blessing to those who are mourning his departure.

Benedictus pp. XVI