MASS FOR DECEASED CARDINALS AND BISHOPS

Vatican City, 4 November 2013 (VIS) – As is traditional, this morning in St. Peter's Basilica the Pope celebrated Mass for the cardinals and bishops who passed away during the preceding year. “Only man's sin may interrupt his bond with God, but even when this happens, God always seeks him out, He pursues him to re-establish that union that endures even beyond death, a union that culminates in the final encounter with the Father”.

With these words, Pope Francis explained to those present that the departed prelates are now in the hands of God. “This reality, full of hope, is a view of the final resurrection, of eternal life, the destiny of the 'just', of those who welcome the Word of God and are docile in spirit”. The Holy Father concluded by entrusting to the mercy of the Lord “our dear departed brother cardinals and bishops: men dedicated to their vocation and to their service to the Church, whom they loved as a spouse”.