Telegram of condolences from the Holy Father on the death of Card. Miguel Ángel Ayuso

Telegram from the Holy Father
on the death of His Eminence Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot

Reverend Father David Costa Domingues, Vicar General of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus,

Upon learning the news of the death of dear Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, spiritual son of Saint Daniel Comboni, at the end of a long illness endured with great faith in the Lord, I express my closeness to the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, as well as to the family members of the late Cardinal and to all those who knew and esteemed him, remembering with affection and admiration this brother who served the Gospel and the Church with exemplary dedication and gentleness of spirit.

I am deeply grateful of the ministry he lavished without sparing himself, first as a zealous missionary in Egypt and Sudan, then as Dean of the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, and finally at the service of the Roman Curia in the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, of which he became Prefect.

In every apostolic work he was always animated by the desire to bear witness, with gentleness and wisdom, to God’s love for humanity, striving tirelessly by for fraternity among peoples and religions.

I offer my prayers to the merciful Father that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he may welcome this faithful servant into the heavenly Jerusalem. With heartfelt condolences, I impart my blessing to all who mourn his earthly departure.

Francis