Pope Remembers Cardinal Martini as Man of God

September 4, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI again expressed his esteem for Cardinal Carlo Martini on Monday, sending a message to the funeral Mass for the cardinal, who died Friday at 85.

"'Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path' (Ps 119: 105): the Psalmist's words can sum up the entire existence of this generous and faithful pastor of the Church," the Pope said.

The Holy Father referred to the Jesuit cardinal, who was the archbishop of Milan from 1979 till 2002, as a man of God "who not only studied the Bible, but loved it intensely, he made it the light of his life, so that everything was 'ad maiorem Dei gloriam,' for the greater glory of God."

It was this that enabled him to teach believers and truth-seekers "that the only word worthy of being listened to, accepted and followed is that of God, because it shows all the path of truth and love," the Pontiff continued. "He did so with a great openness of heart, never refusing to encounter and dialogue with anyone, responding concretely to the Apostle’s invitation to 'always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope' (1 Peter 3:15). He was, with a spirit of profound pastoral charity, according to his Episcopal motto, Pro veritate adversa diligere, attentive to all situations, especially the most difficult, lovingly close to those who were lost, the poor, the suffering."

"May the Lord, who guided Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini his whole life, receive this tireless servant of the Gospel and of the Church in the Heavenly Jerusalem," Benedict XVI concluded. "May my blessing comfort all those present and those who mourn his loss."

More than 20 thousand people gathered at the funeral of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini at the Duomo Cathedral, Milan on Monday, not to speak of the scores of thousands that paid their respects throughout the day. The Liturgy – which was broadcast live nationwide - was presided by the current Archbishop of Milan Card. Angelo Scola. At the celebration of the Eucharist in the Cathedral there were as many as 12 cardinals, 38 bishops and 1,200 priests. The funeral was also attended by representatives of other Christian churches of Milan, the Islamic Religious Community and Italian Buddhist Union. Among the civil authorities in the pews of the Cathedral were the Prime Minister Mario Monti, four other ministers, 30 members of parliament and many other dignitaries.