Pope Francis mourns the death of Cardinal Secretary of State Parolin's mother

Vatican City - The Vatican's "number two" should actually have travelled to Indonesia with the Pope. But then Cardinal Parolin's elderly mother died at the weekend in northern Italy. His superior mourns with him.

Published on 03.09.2024 at 11:46 –

Pope Francis has expressed his sympathy to his chief diplomat, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, on the death of his mother. He shares the family's grief in spirit and assures them of his closeness in this special moment of human suffering, according to the telegram of condolences to Parolin published by the Vatican on Tuesday.

He entrusts the "dear mother" to God's mercy, who may welcome the deceased "in eternal joy", the Pope said. For all mourners, he asked for comfort in faith in the risen Christ. "I send you my fatherly blessing from the bottom of my heart," the Pope concluded.

Ada Parolin, mother of the Cardinal Secretary of State, died on Saturday at the age of 96. For this reason, contrary to plans, Cardinal Parolin did not travel to Indonesia, the first destination of the Pope's visit to the Asia-Pacific region, which lasts until 13 September. The cardinal, effectively the "number two" in the Vatican, is currently in his northern Italian homeland, where he presided over the funeral service for his mother on Tuesday. According to the "Vatican News" portal, the Pope's telegram was read out. (KNA)