VATICAN
CITY, 22 DEC 2011 (VIS) - Benedict XVI sent a telegram of condolence to the
President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, on the death this past Sunday
of former president Vaclav Havel, whose funeral was celebrated this morning
in the Cathedral of St. Vitus at the Prague Castle. President Havel was 75
years old.
In the text, the Pope expressed his nearness to those attending the funeral,
joining them in "commending the soul of the deceased to the infinite
mercy of our heavenly Father" and recalling Vaclav Havel's courage in
the defence of "human rights at a time when these were systematically
denied to the people of your country". He paid tribute to his "visionary
leadership in forging a new democratic policy after the fall of the previous
regime" and gave thanks to God "for the freedom that the people of
the Czech Republic now enjoy".
The Holy Father concluded by imparting the Apostolic Blessing as "a
pledge of spiritual strength and comfort" to all those mourning the
deceased, "in hope of resurrection to new life".
TGR/ VIS
20111223 (170)
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