(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent his condolences upon learning about the death of Cardinal László Paskai, OFM, the Archbishop emeritus of Esztergom-Budapest, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
Pope Francis sent a telegram to the current Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Péter Cardinal Erdő, which says he was “saddened to learn the news of the death” of his predecessor.
“I offer prayerful condolences to you, the clergy, men and women religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, and I thank Almighty God for his many years of service to the Church in Hungary,” Pope Francis writes.
“In commending his to the merciful love of the Father and uniting myself spiritually to all assembled for the solemn funeral rites, I impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord,” the message concludes.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has said the Jubilee of Mercy will be a “good opportunity for increasing the collaboration between pastors and the laity in the mission of affectionately and tenderly caring for the sick and dying.”
His words were conveyed in a message sent to Manuel Martin Sjöberg, President of the Federación de Servicios de sacerdotales Urgencia y Nocturno (Federation of Priestly Emergency Services).
The society was founded in 1952 in Cordoba, Argentina, to help those in need receive the sacraments, especially when it is difficult to find a priest.
Pope Francis also quoted from Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction announcing the Year of Mercy, which urges people to be close to those who are suffering “so they can feel the warmth of our presence, our friendship and our fraternity.”
Pope Francis thanked the volunteers of the association for their sixty years of performing “works of Christian mercy”, noting “we will be judged” on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, because in “each of these ‘smallest ones’, Christ himself is present.”
(from Vatican Radio)…