Pope’s condolences for former Argentine president

(October 29, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his condolences on the death of former president of Argentina, Néstor Kirchner, who passed away on Wednesday. In a message sent to his wife, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the current president of the country, the Pope said he raised "fervent prayers to God for his eternal rest." Cristina was at the side of her husband when he died suddenly of heart attack in the southern province of Santa Cruz, where the two were on a visit during a national holiday. The Pontiff expressed deep sentiments of sorrow for Cristina, her children and for the rest of the family of the deceased dignitary, as well as for the government and for the people of Argentina. 60-year old Nestor Kirchner was the 54th president of Argentina holding office from 2003 until 2007.