TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER CRAXI

VATICAN CITY, JAN 20, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent in Pope John Paul's name by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano to Anna Craxi, the wife of former Italian Prime Minister Bettino Craxi, who died yesterday in Hammamet, Tunisia:

"Having learned of the sudden death of your beloved husband, the Honorable Bettino Craxi, the Supreme Pontiff wishes to send you and your entire family expressions of his deepest condolences for this grave loss and he joins in the prayers for the repose of his soul, asking Divine Goodness for eternal peace for the deceased, while recalling his lengthy political commitment and his incisive activity in government. In the light of the supreme certainty of faith he sends his comforting apostolic blessing."

Yesterday afternoon, upon learning of the death of the Hon. Bettino Craxi, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, released the following statement: "The Holy Father and his collaborators remember him in prayer as the person who, as president of the Council (of Ministers), contributed to the good relations between State and Church in Italy."

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