Here is a translation of the telegram of condolences on the death, yesterday morning, of H.E. Cardinal Renato Corti, Bishop Emeritus of Novara, Italy, of the Title of San Giovanni a Porta Latina, sent by the Holy Father Francis to H.E. Monsignor Franco Giulio Brambilla, Bishop of Novara.

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The Holy Father’s Telegram

 To His Excellency Monsignor Franco Giulio Brambilla

Bishop of Novara

On learning the news of the decease of dear Cardinal Renato Corti, I wish to express to you and to the entire diocesan community, as well as to the relatives of the late Cardinal and to all those that knew and esteemed him, my closeness, thinking with affection and admiration of this Brother that served the Lord Jesus and the Church with exemplary dedication and delicacy of spirit. I think with gratitude of the intense spiritual and pastoral ministry lavished without sparing himself, in fact, consuming himself for the Gospel, first in his native Archdiocese of Milan, in particular in the formation of seminarians and priests, and as Vicar General, and then for long years as meek and wise Pastor of this Novara Church. I think, moreover, of his genuine love for the mission and for the ministry of preaching, which he carried out with great generosity, animated in everything by the passionate desire to communicate the Gospel of Christ. I elevate my prayer to the Lord, so that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, He may receive this faithful servant and distinguished Pastor in the Heavenly Jerusalem, and I impart to all those that mourn his earthy parting my heartfelt Apostolic Blessing, with a special thought for all those that lovingly assisted and accompanied him in recent times.

Franciscus PP.

[Original text: Italian]  [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]

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