CARDINAL FRANCESCO COLASUONNO DIES AT AGE 78

VATICAN CITY, JUN 1, 2003 (VIS) - Upon the death of Cardinal Francesco Colasuonno yesterday at age 78, John Paul II sent telegrams of condolences to Archbishop Francesco Cacucci of Bari-Bitonto, Italy and to the cardinal's sister, Teresa. The cardinal had been apostolic nuncio in Italy and in the Republic of San Marino.

The Holy Father expresses his sorrow to Archbishop Cacucci and the ecclesial community of Bari of which the late cardinal was an "illustrious son." He adds: "While recalling with sentiments of lively admiration the fruitful service to the Church and to the Holy See by the cardinal, who took as his motto 'Laetus Serviam', I give thanks to God for the gift of this generous pastor who honored the diocese of Bari-Bitonto with his life. While I raise fervent prayers that God may welcome him into eternal joy, I send you and those who participate in the funeral and everyone who shares the grief for the loss of this brother so dear to me my comforting apostolic blessing as a sign of my intense participation."

In his telegram to Cardinal Colasuonno's sister, the Pope recalls "with gratitude to the Lord the immense harvest of good that he accomplished through his intense and painstaking work as apostolic nuncio, especially on the occasion of his service to countries in Eastern Europe, during a particular and painful period in the history of those nations."

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