Pope Francis expressed his condolences for the death of the retired Archbishop of Luanda, Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento. The Cardinal passed away on Saturday at the age of 99. The Pope mentioned that he led his flock „in turbulent and difficult times“ for Angola and worked with the Holy See for the benefit of the poorest.
In a telegram sent in Portuguese to the current Archbishop of Luanda, Filomeno do Nascimento Vieiria Dias, the auxiliary bishops, the clergy, the religious communities, and the faithful of the archdiocese, as well as to the family members and all those in Angola who are „saddened“ by his passing, the Pope referred to the deceased as an „illustrious shepherd.“
Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento passed away on Saturday, September 28, at the age of 99. „Faith in Christ and hope for eternal life made him a courageous and free man, capable of directing his steps for the common good, even collaborating with this Apostolic See in his zeal for the poorest and neediest and leading Caritas Internationalis,“ Francis recalled the clergyman’s dedication to the Church’s charitable work. Do Nascimento served as President of Caritas Internationalis from 1983 to 1991 and in 1983 became the first Angolan to be elevated to the rank of Cardinal.
Significant figure in Angola
He was one of the ecclesiastical figures who led the Angolan and African Church into the new millennium. During a pastoral visit in 1982, he was abducted by a group of armed men who released him a month later. Pope John Paul II, who made him a Cardinal a year later, appealed to his captors to set him free during the Angelus. In his telegram, Francis recalled „the care that dear Dom Alexandre provided to his flock in difficult times, which was an expression of the merciful face of Jesus, the merciful Samaritan of humanity, for everyone.“
In conclusion, the Pope thanked God for the Cardinal’s work and asked the Lord to „surround this faithful servant with the light of mercy and open to him the doors of life in its fullness.“