In a telegram of condolences, Pope Leo XIV praises the late Cardinal Paolo Romeo, Archbishop Emeritus of Palermo, who passed away at age 88 on Sunday, saying he remembers “with affection this dear brother who generously served the Gospel and the Church.”
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Cardinal Paolo Romeo, Archbishop Emeritus of Palermo and titular of the Church of Santa Maria Odigitria dei Siciliani, was a “dear brother who generously served the Gospel and the Church.”
In this way, Pope Leo XIV remembered the late Cardinal in a message of condolences sent to Bishop Antonino Raspanti of Acireale.
After a long illness, the Cardinal died on Sunday morning at the age of 88 at San Marco Hospital in Catania.
Originally from Acireale, the Italian prelate was created a Cardinal in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI and would eventually lead the Archdiocese of Palermo from 2006 to 2015.
Cardinal Romeo’s funeral will be held on Wednesday morning in the Cathedral Basilica of Acireale.
In Pope Leo’s message of condolences, he expressed his heartfelt participation in the grief of all the faithful and family mourning the late Cardinal, and said he remembers “with affection this dear brother who generously served the Gospel and the Church.”
With gratitude, Pope Leo recalled Cardinal Romeo’s “dedicated ministry,” first as a priest of the Diocese of Acireale, then in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, especially as pontifical representative in Haiti, Colombia, Canada, Italy, and the Republic of San Marino, and finally as “devoted Archbishop of Palermo.”
Finally, the Holy Father concluded by offering fervent prayers to the Lord that He may welcome Cardinal Romeo into His peace, and imparted his Apostolic Blessing to all mourning his passing.
