Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolence to the archbishop of Montreal assuring prayers for the soul of Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, former archbishop of the city, who died this morning at age 78.
The telegram, addressed to Archbishop Christian Lepine, speaks of the cardinal as a “faithful pastor,” who served not only the local Church, but also the Church in Canada and the universal Church through his service in the Curia.
He was archbishop of Montreal from 1990 until his retirement in 2012.
“While we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, I beg him to receive in the light of eternal life this faithful Pastor,” the Holy Father wrote.
Cardinal Turcotte took part in the 1994 Synod of Bishops on consecrated life and the 1997 Synod on America, the Pope recalled.
There are now 225 living cardinals of whom 122 are cardinal-electors.
