Pope sends condolences to family of desceased Cardinal Mejìa

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his grief for the death of Cardinal Jorge Maria Mejìa who died, aged 91, on Monday night.

In a telegramme of condolences addressed to the Cardinal’s brother, Alejandro Jaime Mejìa, the Pope says he is praying for the deceased, to whom he was bound by many years of friendship.

Cardinal Mejìa, who was Archivist Emeritus of the Vatican Secret Archives, died after a long illness. Pope Francis had visited him in hospital on the past November 16.

His funeral will be celebrated  on Thursday, December 11 at 11.30 in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Please find below Vatican Radio’s translation of the Pope’s telegramme:

Grieved for the death of your brother, the dear Cardinal Jorge Maria, Archivist and Librarian Emeritus of the Vatican, who for many years served with faithfulness and professional zeal in different offices of the Roman Curia, I wish to convey to you my most heartfelt condolences. I assure you of my prayers of suffrage for him, to whom I was bound by a long-standing friendship, so that the Lord may concede peace to he who gave of himself in such a generous way to the Church.     

With faith in the Pasqual mystery of the Risen Lord, who lights our way and fills us with hope, and the memory of a faithful shepherd dedicated to the mission of evangelization, I ask for divine consolation in these moments of sorrow, for yourself and for your dear ones who are grieving.

I impart my apostolic Blessing.

Francis