Pope mourns Italian Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci

November 11, 2013 - Pope Francis on Monday mourned the death of Italian Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci, the former director of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel Choir known as “Capella Sistina’. Made cardinal at the age of 93 by Pope Benedict XVI in Nov., 2010, the 96-year old prelate passed away in Rome on Monday. In a condolence message to the late cardinal’s two brothers and the Diocese of Florence to which he belonged, the Pope described Cardinal Bartolucci as a “dear and esteemed priest, illustrious composer and musician, who exercised his long and intense ministry through sacred music which is born of faith and also expressed in faith.” Pope Francis gratefully recalled his “fruitful work as director of the Sistine Chapel and the enhancement of the wise precious treasure of polyphony, which aims to raise the heart in praise to God.” The Holy Father said he was praying that the Lord may welcome this “generous servant and distinguished man of the Church in eternal joy and peace. He said he heartily imparted his blessing to those mourning the late cardinal. With the death of Cardinal Bartolucci, the number of cardinals worldwide now stands at 200, of whom 109 are below the age of 80, and hence are eligible to vote in case of a conclave to elect a new pope.