Pope sends telegramme for the death of Cardinal Macharski

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a telegramme expressing his sorrow for the death of Polish Cardinal Franciszek Macharski.

In the telegramme addressed to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Stanislav Dziwisz, the Pope expresses his closeness to the Church and to the faithful in Poland and joins  in their prayer of thanksgiving for the life and for the pastoral work of the deceased Minister of the Gospel.
      
Recalling Cardinal Macharski’s motto: ‘Iesu, in te confido!’  – Jesus, in you I trust! – Pope Francis said his life and his ministry were indeed guided by this episcopal motto.

The Pope recalled the zeal with which Macharski carried out his mission as pastor, as professor, as rector of the Seminary until the day he was asked to take on the responsibility of his predecessor, Karol Wojtyla – today Saint John Paul II – as Archbishop of Krakow.  

“With trust in Divine Mercy he conducted this work as a father for his priests and for the faithful entrusted to him. He guided the Church in Krakow in the difficult time of political and social transformations, with wisdom, with a healthy detachment from reality, always concerned for the respect of every person, for the good of the Church community, and above all keeping the faith alive in the hearts of men”.  

Pope Francis also writes he is grateful to Providence that it was possible for him to pay the Cardinal a personal visit during his recent journey to Krakow. 

“During the last chapter of life he was tried by suffering that he accepted with serenity of spirit. In this ordeal too, he remained a faithful witness of total trust in God’s mercy. This is how he will remain in my memory and in prayer. May the Lord receive him in His glory!”.