VATICAN - Letter to Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo on the occasion of his resignation from the office of Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI thanked Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo at the end of his service as Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church, with these words: “On the day dedicated to the Solemnity of the Annunciation, soon after your 80th birthday, you wrote me a letter informing me of your resignation from the office of Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church, in accordance with the prescriptions of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. In accepting your resignation from this important office, I would like to express to you my warm gratitude for the diligence, competence and love with which you have carried out this delicate task at the service of the Holy See and of the universal Church. While I am pleased to recall the long and dedicated service that closely bound your priestly and episcopal ministry to the Apostolic See, I would like in particular to express to you my deep appreciation for the great dignity and solemn sobriety with which you carried out your role as Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church, at the moment of the devout death of the late Pope John Paul II, on the occasion of the extraordinary demonstration of faith during the funeral of the beloved Pontiff, during the entire period of the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and in carrying out the tasks of the Conclave for the election of the new Pope. As your high office as Camerlengo and your other important offices in the various Dicasteries of the Roman Curia come to an end, I am sure that the memory of all the good you have done will be a comfort to you and a cause of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. With the Easter celebrations at hand, I would like to address joyful good wishes to you for every good and prosperity in Jesus Christ, as I invoke upon you the loving protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints, imparting to you as a pledge the special Apostolic Blessing which I warmly grant to you, Your Eminence, and all those who affectionately surround you”. (P.R.) (Agenzia Fides 5/4/2007 - righe 20, parole 297)