Pope sends telegram following
death of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush
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| Body of George HW Bush leaves the US Capitol during s state funeral in Washington DC.- AFP |
Pope Francis and the U.S. Bishops assure the Bush family of
their prayers, as four former U.S. presidents and President Donald Trump gather
at the National Cathedral in Washington DC to pay their respects to former
President George H.W. Bush.
By Joachim Teigen
Pope Francis has expressed his condolences at the death
of former US president George H.W. Bush who passed away on Nov. 30 at the age
of 94. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent
a telegram on behalf of Pope Francis to the US bishops expressing the Pope's
sorrow and promises of prayers.
“Saddened to learn of the death of former President George
H. W. Bush, His Holiness Pope Francis offers heartfelt condolences and the
assurance of his prayers to all the Bush family. Commending President Bush’s
soul to the merciful love of Almighty God, His Holiness invokes upon all who
mourn his passing the divine blessings of strength and peace,” read the
telegram on the occasion of the state funeral in Washington DC on
Wednesday.
U.S. Bishops express their condolences
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, President of the US Conference
of Catholic Bishops, has also expressed his sorrow at the passing of former
President Bush. In a message sent on behalf of the U.S. Bishops, he speaks of
his gratitude for “this great man” who had an “unwavering commitment to
building bridges of peace and ensuring our nation's freedoms, and inspired many
as a devoted husband, father and family patriarch.”
The nation’s farewell
Wednesday 5 December was declared a day of mourning in the
U.S. as the funeral took place in the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
From there, the body of the former President will be brought to his home state
Texas to lie in public repose, before being laid to rest at the George HW
Presidential Library.
Bush served as President of the U.S. from 1989 to 1993.
Prior to this, he had served as a senator, ambassador to the UN, Director of
the CIA, and Vice President under President Ronald Reagan.
Suffering from a form of Parkinson’s disease, he was forced
to use a wheelchair in the last years of his life. He passed away in his home
in Houston, Texas.
His funeral took place at the Washington National Cathedral,
and he will be buried in his home state, alongside his wife Barbara.
A friend of the Catholic Church
His presidency coincided with the pontificate of Pope St.
John Paul II, and the two met on several occasions, among them two visits of
the President to the Vatican.
According to President George Bush Jr., one of his father’s
favourite quotes was that often attributed to St Francis of Assisi: “Preach the
Gospel always and, if necessary, use words”.
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