Upon learning of the death of Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, sj, Pope Francis expressed his condolences in a telegram addressed to Fr Manuel Morujao, sj, Superior of the “Residenza San Pietro Canisio” in Rome. The following is a translation of the Pope’s telegram which was written in Spanish, accompanied by a brief biography of the late Cardinal, Rector emeritus of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and former Secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, of the Title of Santa Maria della Mercede e Sant’Adriano a Villa Albani, deaconry raised pro hac vice to a presbyteral Title.
Upon learning of the pious death of the dear Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, I wish to express my closeness to you, to the San Pietro Canisio Community, to the entire Society of Jesus, and to the relatives of the dear departed Cardinal, and to those who knew and esteemed him, recalling with affection and admiration this brother who served the Lord and the Church with great devotion. I think with gratitude of his intense and profuse work as a zealous religious spiritual son of Saint Ignatius, an expert educator, esteemed rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and diligent and wise collaborator of several Dicasteries of the Roman Curia. I also think of his love for the ministry of preaching, which he exercised with generosity, inspired by a passionate desire to communicate the Gospel. I raise my prayer to the Lord that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he may welcome this faithful servant of his into the heavenly Jerusalem, and I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing to all who mourn his passing, with a special thought for those who lovingly assisted and accompanied him in his final days.
Franciscus pp.
From the Vatican, 30 July 2021