FILE PHOTO: Duchess of Kent on six-day visit to South Africa
Pope Leo recalls late Duchess of Kent's 'legacy of
Christian goodness'
Pope Leo XIV sends his condolences for the death of
Britain's Duchess Katharine of Kent, recalling her "legacy of Christian
goodness" and entrusting "her noble soul to the mercy of our Heavenly
Father."
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
In a message to King Charles, Pope Leo XIV has expressed his
closeness to the Royal Family for the loss of Britain's Duchess of Kent.
In the telegram sent on Tuesday to Buckingham Palace, the
Holy Father said he was saddened to learn of the death of Her Royal Highness
the Duchess of Kent.
"I send heartfelt condolences, together with the
assurance of my prayerful closeness, to Your Majesty, the members of the Royal
Family, and especially to her husband, the Duke of Kent, and their children and
grandchildren at this time of sorrow," wrote the Pope.
Pope Leo entrusted the soul of the late Catholic Duchess,
whose funeral Mass was held on Tuesday at Westminster Cathedral and was
celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.
"Entrusting her noble soul to the mercy of our Heavenly
Father," reassured the Pope, "I readily associate myself with all
those offering thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Duchess’s legacy of
Christian goodness, seen in her many years of dedication to official duties,
patronage of charities, and devoted care for vulnerable people in
society."
"To all who mourn her loss, in the sure hope of the
Resurrection," concluded Pope Leo XIV, "I willingly impart my
apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen
Lord."
“Entrusting her noble soul to the mercy of our Heavenly
Father, I readily associate myself with all those offering thanksgiving to
Almighty God for the Duchess’s legacy of Christian goodness, seen in her many
years of dedication to official duties, patronage of charities, and devoted
care for vulnerable people in society.”
Born Katharine Worsley, she joined the Royal Family when she
married Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth.
The Duchess converted to Catholicism in 1994, becoming the
first senior member of the British Royal Family to do so openly since the 18th
century.
Her Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral marked the first
royal funeral to take place at the principal Catholic church in England and
Wales.
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