The Holy Father last Friday, after hearing of the death of Cardinal Martini, wrote the following words of condolence. (My translation of the Italian original.)
I have sadly received notice of the death after a long illness of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini. He lived with a serene spirit and with faithful abandonment to the will of the Lord. I desire to express to you and to the entire diocesan community and also to family of the grieved deceased my profound sharing with their sadness, thinking with affection about this dear brother who has generously served the Gospel and the Church. I recall with gratitude his intense profuse apostolic work, this zealous religious spiritual son of St. Ignatius, expert teacher, notable biblical scholar and appreciated rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University and of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and then diligent and wise archbishop of that Ambrosian diocese. I also think of the fervent and competent service rendered by him to the Word of God, always opening to the ecclesial community the treasures of Sacred Scripture, especially by promoting Lectio Divina. I raise fervent prayers to the Lord so that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he may receive this his faithful servant and distinguished pastor into the celestial Jerusalem, from my heart I impart to all who mourn the deceased the comforting Apostolic Blessing. — Benedict XVI
