Pope’s condolence on the death of Spanish cardinal

December 17, 2013 - Pope Francis has expressed his sadness on the death of retired Archbishop of Barcellona, Spain, Cardinal Ricardo María Carles Gordó. The former president of Spain’s bishops’ conference from 1999-2005, passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 87. He had been hospitalized following a stroke. In a condolence telegram to Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach, Archbishop of Barcelona, the Pope commended the apostolic zeal with which the late prelate carried out his episcopal ministry, first as Bishop of Tortosa and then as Archbishop of Barcellona, constantly and wisely engaging in evangelizing ministry, generously and tirelessly promoting numerous pastoral initiatives and showing special closeness to his priests, religious and seminarians. Born on 24 Sept., 1926, Cardinal Gordó was ordained priest in 1951. He was appointed bishop of Tortosa in 1969 and in 1990 was appointed Archbishop of Barcellona. Blessed John Paul II made him a cardinal in 1994. Cardinal Gordó retired as archbishop in 2004. With the death of the cardinal, the number of cardinals worldwide now stands at 199, of whom 109 are below 80 years of age, and hence eligible to vote for a new pope in case of a conclave.