The Venezuelan Cardinal Castillo Lara, a Salesian and retired president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, died Tuesday in Caracas at the age of 85.
In the telegram, the Pope expressed his "heartfelt condolences" to Cardinal Urosa Savino, to the relatives of the deceased and to all the Venezuelan people, entrusting to the mercy of God "this zealous pastor who served the Church with such charity."
"Cardinal Castillo Lara's generous and intense ministry, first as coadjutor bishop of Trujillo" and later in various posts in the Roman Curia, "testifies to his great dedication to the cause of the Gospel, at the same time demonstrating his profound love for the Church," the Holy Father's telegram continued.
The Salesians in Venezuela, who assisted Cardinal Castillo Lara during his final illness, announced that the cardinal's remains will lie in state in the Parish of San Juan Bosco in Altamira in Caracas.
ZE07101707 - 2007-10-17