JOHN PAUL II PRESIDES OVER FUNERAL FOR CARDINAL CASORIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 10, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Basilica, the Holy Father presided over the funeral mass for Cardinal Giuseppe Casoria, who passed away in Rome on February 8 at the age of 92.

After recalling in his homily that the cardinal was born in Acerra, Italy, the Holy Father said, "Last December 21, the dear Cardinal celebrated the seventieth anniversary of his priestly ordination. On that occasion, appropriate emphasis was given to that which he was above all during his long life: a soul deeply in love with Christ, whom he always sought to imitate as a priest, serving Him with total dedication in daily work for the Church."

The Holy Father went on to affirm that "those near the cardinal in his last days received from his lips expressions such as: 'Every single day of life, even if in sickness or suffering, is a unique gift from the Lord, for which I thank Him.' And also: 'With profound love I offer all of my sufferings for the Church, for the Holy Father, and for the entire world'."

"Cardinal Casoria, who through his ministry found himself needing to discern and judge innumerable times, is now called, as will happen to each of us, to appear before the tribunal of Christ. ... May Mary now introduce him to the homeland of Heaven," the pope concluded, "in order that he may take part in the joy of the eternal banquet, which God has prepared for His faithful servants."

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