Pope lauds late Cardinal Innocenti’s dedicated service to church.

(Sept.10,2008): -Pope Benedict XVI remembered with great affection late Cardinal Antonio Innocenti and lauded his dedicated service to the Church during his long life. Italian Cardinal Innocenti died Sept. 6 at the age of 93. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals presided over the funeral Mass on Sept.10 in St. Peter’s Basilica, and Pope Benedict arrived after Communion to give the homily and lead the final prayers.
In his homily, Pope Benedict praised Cardinal Innocenti’s dedicated service and his courageous spirit. The Pope also gave a brief history of the late prelate’s life. Born in Pioppi in the diocese of Fiesole, he was ordained priest in 1938 and served in the Diocese of Florence. He was appointed Archbishop in 1967 to take up the post of Apostolic Nuncio in Paraguay. Later, he also served as Apostolic Nuncio to Spain. Named a Cardinal in 1984, he went on to head the Congregation for the Clergy in 1986. The Pope particularly remembered the courageous role played by Cardinal Innocenti during the Second World War, when he helped those who were deported, for which he was arrested and condemned to be shot but the order was revoked at the last moment.
Cardinal Innocenti's death leaves the College of Cardinals with 193 members. Of that number, 116 are under age 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a papal conclave.