VATICANO - Holy Father’s telegram for the death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, Archbishop of Mossul of the Chaldeans

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Upon receiving the news of the death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, Archbishop of Mossul of the Chaldeans, Iraq, who was kidnapped on 29 February, Benedict XVI sent the following telegram expressing his condolences to Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans.
“Informed of the tragic death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, Archbishop of Mossul of the Chaldeans, resulting from the event of his kidnapping on February 29, I wish to express my closeness to the Chaldean Church and to the entire Christian community, as well as condemnation of an act of inhuman violence which offends the dignity of human beings and seriously damages the cause of the fraternal coexistence of the beloved Iraqi people. While I assure you of my prayers for the repose of the beloved pastor who was kidnapped just after he had completed the Way of the Cross, I also invoke the Lord's mercy, that this tragic event may serve to build a future of peace in the martyred land of Iraq. With my deepest sympathies, I bestow my Apostolic Blessing upon you, Beloved Brother, the clergy, and the consecrated persons, and on all the faithful. Benedictus PP. XVI (SL) (Agenzia Fides 14/3/2008; righe 15, parole 200)