Condolences for the death of Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes

Pope Francis sent a telegram to Klaus and Rainer Baumgardt, offering his condolences following the death of their uncle, Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, who passed away on Friday, 15 March. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s message, sent on 16 March, followed by a short biography of the late Cardinal.

On learning of the passing of your dear uncle, Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, I express my closeness to you, to the other relatives, and to the Archdiocese of Paderborn, of which he was an esteemed presbyter and, later, zealous Auxiliary Bishop. I remember with affection this brother who served the Lord and the Church faithfully and generously, attentive to the demands of the world of the young and the needs of fragile people, to whom he communicated Christ’s love and tenderness. I think with gratitude of his diligent collaboration for many years with the Holy See, first as Vice President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and then as President of the Pontifical Council ”Cor Unum”, where he spared no energy in bearing witness to the Pope’s paternal care for the poorest. I raise prayers to the Lord that, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, he may welcome this faithful servant and pastor in the heavenly Jerusalem, and I send my heartfelt blessing to those who mourn his earthly passing.

Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”, passed away on Friday morning, 15 March, at the Pio xi clinic in Rome. He was born in Kirchhundem, in the Archdiocese of Paderborn, Germany, on 5 September 1934, and he was ordained a priest on 21 December 1961. On 27 October 1975, Paul vi appointed him titular Bishop of Naissus and Auxiliary of Paderborn, and on 1 February 1976, he was ordained a bishop. In 1980 he was named Vice President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. On 2 December 1995 he became Archbishop and was appointed President of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”, a position he held until 7 October 2010. At the Consistory on 24 November 2007, he was created and proclaimed Cardinal of the title of San Lorenzo in Piscibus (St Lawrence in Piscibus), Deaconry elevated ‘pro hac vice’ to Presbyteral title on 19 May 2018. He was part of the conclave that elected Pope Francis.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrated the funeral rites for the late Cardinal in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Monday, 18 March. Pope Francis presided at the Rite of Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio.