HOLY FATHER PRESIDES AT FUNERAL FOR CARDINAL PALAZZINI

VATICAN CITY, OCT 13, 2000 (VIS) - This evening at the Altar of the Cathedra in the Vatican Basilica, John Paul II presided at the funeral of Cardinal Pietro Palazzini, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who died in Rome on October 11.

In his homily, the Pope said that the late cardinal "spent his life in assiduous service to God and to the Church, especially through study, teaching and the defense of Gospel truth. Above all in fact, he used his greatest energy in dedicating himself to the profound study of moral theology and Canon Law. ... He published numerous valued works and collaborated in others, bringing to all of them an important doctrinal contribution as well as his own personal wisdom."

Having recalled that Cardinal Palazzini had been prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Holy Father said: "After having studied so many saints and blesseds, our venerable brother is called now to enter their domain, through the door by which the righteous enter, the door that is the Lord Christ, the Saint of God."

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