US Cardinal John Patrick Foley has died

Cardinal Foley

Cardinal John Patrick Foley, Grand Master Emeritus of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem died on Sunday. He was 76. The Cardinal had been suffering from leukaemia and had recently returned to Philadelphia from Rome.

In a message to Pope Benedict said: "Having learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal John Patrick Foley .. I offer you my heartfelt condolences. As I recall with gratitude the late cardinal's years of priestly ministry in his beloved archdiocese of Philadelphia, his distinguished service to the Holy See as president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, and most recently his labours on behalf of the Christian communities of the Holy Land, I willingly join you in commending his noble soul to God, the Father of all mercies.

"I also pray that his lifelong commitment to the Church's presence in the media will inspire others to take up this apostolate so essential to the proclamation of the Gospel and the progress of the new evangelisation. To all who mourn Cardinal Foley in the hope of the resurrection, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ".

Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi said: "everyone who had ever met Cardinal Foley admired and loved him for his kindness and for his spirituality."

Father Lombardi also recalled the Cardinal's work in the field of communication as President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications saying, he was always well prepared and very competent.

He added, that he had just received in the last few days a letter from Cardinal Foley thanking him for a copy of the newly published book on the History of Vatican Radio.