TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF FORMER ITALIAN PRESIDENT GIOVANNI LEONE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 9, 2001 (VIS) - Offered below is the text of the telegram sent this morning by John Paul II to Vittoria Leone, widow of the former president of Italy, Giovanni Leone, who died today in Rome at the age of 93.

"Spiritually near you in this moment of sorrow for the death of your husband, Senator Giovanni Leone, former president of the Italian Republic, I desire to express to you and your sons Mauro, Paolo, and Giancarlo, my heartfelt condolences with the assurance of my sincere participation in the deep mourning that has struck the entire Italian nation.

"In remembering this illustrious statesman, noted scholar of the law and faithful son of the Church, who in public responsibilities devoted himself with generous commitment to the promotion of the common good, I raise fervent prayers for the respose of his soul, invoking from Divine Goodness eternal peace for his soul and, from my heart I impart to you and your family a comforting apostolic blessing."

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