TELEGRAM TO MIKHAIL GORBACHEV UPON THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Pope John Paul to Mikhail Gorbachev, president of the International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies, upon the death earlier today of his wife Raisa at the age of 67:

"I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of your beloved wife and I send my heartfelt condolences. Commending Raisa Maksimovna Gorbacheva to Almighty God's eternal love, I hope that you will find in the affection of your family and friends the strength to endure this loss. With my cordial and prayerful thoughts."

TGR;DEATH WIFE;...;GORBACHEV;VIS;19990920;Word: 110;