MESSAGE OF THE POPE FOR THE FUNERAL OF CARDINAL MARTINI

Vatican City,  (VIS) - The Pope has sent a message to the archdiocese of Milan, the Society of Jesus, the relatives of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, and "all those who loved and esteemed (him) and have chosen to accompany him on his final journey". The message was read out during the funeral of the late cardinal, archbishop emeritus of Milan, Italy, by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the Pope's special envoy to the event.

"'Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path'. The Psalmist's words encapsulate the entire existence of this generous and faithful pastor of the Church. He lived as a man of God, who not only studied Sacred Scripture but loved it intensely, making it the light of his life that all things might be 'ad maiorem Dei gloriam', for the greater glory of God. It was for this reason that he was able to teach believers and seekers after truth that the only word worthy to listen to, accept and follow is that of God, because it leads everyone along the path of truth and love. He lived with great openness of heart, never rejecting encounter and dialogue with anyone, and giving a concrete response to the Apostle’s invitation always 'to be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope'. He lived with a spirit of profound pastoral charity, in keeping with his own episcopal motto of 'Pro veritate adversa diligere', attentive to all situations especially the most difficult, and lovingly close to the lost, the poor and the suffering".

"May the Lord, who guided Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini throughout his life, receive this tireless servant of the Gospel and of the Church in the heavenly Jerusalem".