The Pope's tribute to Cardinal Hume - full text

Pope John Paul II has sent a message of condolence to the Catholic Church of England and Wales on the death of Cardinal Basil Hume. This is the full text:

"With great sadness, I have received the news of the death of Cardinal George Basil Hume.

"I offer prayerful condolences to the auxiliary bishops, priests, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of Westminster and to the entire Church in England and Wales.

"Commending the Cardinal's noble soul to our Heavenly Father's eternal love, I thank the Lord for having given the Church a shepherd of great spiritual and moral character, of sensitive and unflinching ecumenical commitment and firm leadership in helping people of all beliefs to face the challenges of the last part of this difficult century.

"I am confident that the example of the Cardinal's devoted service as benedictine monk and Abbot at Ampleforth and as Archbishop of Westminster, his untiring work as President of the Bishops' Conference, as well as his witness of dignity and hope in the face of the mystery of suffering and death, will inspire all who knew him to ever greater fidelity to the Gospel of Salvation.

"Invoking the comforting gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the Cardinal's family and upon all who mourn him in the hope of resurrection, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Ioannes Paulus PP. II"