PAPAL TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP MARCELLO ZAGO

VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Pope John Paul to Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, upon learning of the death this morning, after a long illness, of Archbishop Marcello Zago, O.M.I., congregation secretary. The archbishop was 68.

"Having learned with sadness of the death of Archbishop Marcello Zago, I wish to send an expression of my sincere participation in the mourning of this dicastery whose diligent secretary he was. As I recall with sentiments of admiration his deep spirituality, his exemplary religious life in the congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, of which he was superior general, and the pastoral thrust as a priest and bishop, as well as the serene acceptance of the illness which he bore right up to the last minute with a trusting surrender to Divine Providence, I give thanks to the Lord for having given the Church such a zealous minister of the Gospel who also distinguished himself as a precious collaborator of the Apostolic See, especially in the area of the evangelization of peoples. As I raise fervent prayers to God that he will accept this good and faithful servant in eternal joy, having spent his energies in the service of God and souls, I send to you and to all who share in this grief my comforting apostolic blessing."

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