The following is the telegram of condolence sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to Archbishop Raúl Martín of Paraná, Argentina, on the death of His Eminence Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlic, archbishop emeritus of Paraná:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS REVEREND EXCELLENCY
ARCHBISHOP RAÚL MARTÍN
OF PARANÁ

UPON RECEIVING THE SAD NEWS OF THE DEATH OF CARDINAL ESTANISLAO ESTEBAN KARLIC, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS OF PARANÁ, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR EXCELLENCY, ASKING YOU TO CONVEY THEM TO ALL THOSE WHO FORM PART OF THAT BELOVED ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY.

I REMEMBER WITH AFFECTION THIS SELFLESS AND UPRIGHT PASTOR WHO, FOR MANY YEARS AND WITH GREAT FIDELITY, DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND THE CHURCH, BRINGING THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL TO VARIOUS AREAS OF LIFE AND CULTURE. HE SERVED AS PRIEST AND BISHOP IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CÓRDOBA AND PARANÁ, AND WAS PRESIDENT OF THE ARGENTINE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS, RECEIVING MY PREDECESSOR SAINT JOHN PAUL II DURING HIS APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO THE COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, AMONG MANY OTHER TASKS AND PASTORAL INITIATIVES AT LOCAL, NATIONAL AND CONTINENTAL LEVEL, HE OFFERED HIMSELF GENEROUSLY IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH, AS ONE OF THE COLLABORATORS IN THE DRAFTING OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

AS I GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS LIFE OF FAITH AND HIS DEEP LOVE FOR THE CHURCH, I OFFER PRAYERS FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF HIS SOUL, THAT THE LORD JESUS MAY GRANT HIM THE CROWN OF GLORY THAT NEVER FADES AND, COMMENDING HIM TO THE INTERCESSION OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY, I WARMLY IMPART THE APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO ALL AS A PLEDGE OF CHRISTIAN HOPE IN THE RISEN LORD.

LEO PP. XIV