ROME — Pope Francis is sending his condolences for the death of Cardinal Bernard Law and says he is praying for his soul.
Francis sent a telegram of condolences Wednesday to the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. The letter makes no mention of Law's role as the former archbishop of Boston, where he was responsible for covering up for sexually abusive priests in a scandal that erupted across the nation and eventually cost the American church some $3 billion in legal fees.
Rather, Francis' telegram refers to Law's final position as archpriest of the St. Mary Major basilica in Rome.
In it Francis said: "I raise prayers for the repose of his soul, that the Lord, God who is rich in mercy, may welcome him in His eternal peace, and I send my apostolic blessing to those who share in mourning the passing of the cardinal."
The dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, will be the lead celebrant at the funeral Mass, with other cardinals and bishops concelebrating.
Francis will then perform the final funeral rite, an honor accorded to all Rome-based cardinals.
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