Below is the telegram of condolence from Pope Benedict XVI to the Most Reverend Charles
Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia on the death of Cardinal John Patrick Foley.
Having
learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal John Patrick Foley, Grand Master Emeritus
of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, I offer you my heartfelt
condolences. As I recall with gratitude the late Cardinal’s years of priestly ministry
in his beloved Archdiocese of Philadephia, his distinguished service to the Holy See
as President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, and most recently
his labors on behalf of the Christian communities of the Holy Land, I willingly join
you in commending his noble soul to God, the Father of all mercies. I also pray that
his lifelong commitment to the Church’s presence in the media will inspire others
to take up this apostolate so essential to the proclamation of the Gospel and the
progress of the new evangelization. To all who mourn Cardinal Foley in the hope of
the Resurrection, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation
and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
Vatican Radio
looks back at the life of Cardinal John Patrick Foley, Grand Master Emeritus of the
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem who died yesterday at the age
of 76. The Cardinal had been suffering from Leukaemia and had returned to Philadelphia
in the US.
He was elected to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI
in 2007.
Philippa Hitchen interviewed Cardinal Foley during this milestone
in his life. Listen