Cardinal Pio Laghi - Cardinal Patronus SMOM R.I.P.

Cardinal Pio Laghi Bailiff Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion, the Cardinal Patronus of the Order of Malta since 1993 has died today.

The Order of Malta lost one of its most prominent members, as well as a moral and spiritual guide, declared the Grand Master, Matthew Festing, who visited Cardinal Laghi in hospital for the last time on Thursday evening.
The Cardinal Patronus has the task of promoting the spiritual interests of the Order and its members as well as the relationships between the Holy See and the Order.


President Bush and his wife sent condolences to Pope Benedict XVI and all Catholics.

"Cardinal Laghi was a friend who, in his more than 60 years of service to the Catholic Church, worked tirelessly for peace and justice in our world. As the Papal Nuncio to the United States during the final years of the Cold War, and in his many other assignments, Cardinal Laghi always strove to unite people of all religions and promote reconciliation, religious freedom, and tolerance,"

The funeral for Cardinal Laghi will be Tuesday at St. Peter's. Pope Benedict is expected to participate in the funeral along with the Grand Master Fra. Festing and members of the Sovereign Council.

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.