Pope Francis sent a telegram to Klaus and Rainer Baumgardt
offering his condolences following the death of their uncle
President emeritus of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum
The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s message
followed by a short biography of the late Cardinal
On learning of the passing of your dear uncle
I remember with affection this brother who served the Lord and the Church faithfully and generously
attentive to the demands of the world of the young and the needs of fragile people
to whom he communicated Christ’s love and tenderness
I think with gratitude of his diligent collaboration for many years with the Holy See
first as Vice President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and then as President of the Pontifical Council ”Cor Unum”
where he spared no energy in bearing witness to the Pope’s paternal care for the poorest
he may welcome this faithful servant and pastor in the heavenly Jerusalem
and I send my heartfelt blessing to those who mourn his earthly passing
President emeritus of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”
and he was ordained a priest on 21 December 1961
Paul  vi  appointed him titular Bishop of Naissus and Auxiliary of Paderborn
In 1980 he was named Vice President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity
On 2 December 1995 he became Archbishop and was appointed President of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”
he was created and proclaimed Cardinal of the title of San Lorenzo in Piscibus (St Lawrence in Piscibus)
Deaconry elevated ‘pro hac vice’ to Presbyteral title on 19 May 2018
He was part of the conclave that elected Pope Francis
celebrated the funeral rites for the late Cardinal in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Monday
Pope Francis presided at the Rite of Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio
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