Pope Benedict XVI sends telegram at the death of Cardinal Deskur

(September 05, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI sent a condolence message on Sunday on hearing of the sad news of the death of Polish cardinal Andrzej Maria Deskur, who passed away in Rome on Saturday at the age of 87. The pope’s message addressed to Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the archbishop of Krakow, expressed his grief and prayers and praised the generous service rendered by the retired Cardinal, who was the former head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. The Papal message also recalled the dedicated and precious collaboration rendered by the cardinal in the service of the Holy See for many years especially in the field of Social Communications. Bound by deep friendship to Blessed John Paul II, Cardinal Deskur leaves a memory of the life spent in dedicated service to his vocation as a dedicated and zealous priest who enriched his ministry with fervent devotion, said the Pope’s message. He was appointed Bishop on June 17, 1974. Pope John Paul II named him Archbishop and president emeritus of the Pontifical Commission in 1980 and made him a Cardinal 1985. The funeral service of cardinal Deskur will be held in St Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday. The College of Cardinals now has 193 members, including 114 who are called upon to elect a new pope.