A faithful and generous brother

Upon learning of the death of Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Camerlengo emeritus of the Holy Roman Church, of the Title of the Santissimo Nome di Gesù, Pope Francis expressed his condolences in a telegram addressed to Msgr Fernando Loza Martínez. The following is a translation of the Pope’s telegram which was written in Italian, accompanied by a brief biography of the late Cardinal.

Having learned of the pious death of your uncle, Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo, I wish to express my closeness to you, to his relatives, and to those who knew and esteemed him, recalling with affection the spiritually fruitful witness of this dear brother. In considering with sincere admiration the long and rich experience acquired by the dear departed Cardinal and devoted collaborator of six Popes, my Predecessors, who entrusted delicate and important offices to him, I give thanks to the Lord for his faithful and generous service to the Church and to the Holy See. I ask the Lord, by the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin, to welcome him in the homeland of Heaven to enjoy the beatitude promised to faithful servants of the Gospel, and I impart my Apostolic Blessing to those who mourn his passing, with a special thought for the Missionary Sisters of Jesus the Eternal Priest, who lovingly cared for him.

Franciscus pp.

From the Vatican,
11 August 2021