Catholic World News News Feature

Cardinal Ratzinger sends condolences to Monaco on Prince Rainier's death April 06, 2005

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, speaking on behalf of the Holy See, has sent a message of condolence to the people of Monaco upon the death of Prince Rainier.

Cardinal Ratzinger-- who, as dean of the College of Cardinals, is the senior official at the Vatican in the absence of a Pope-- sent a telegram to Prince Albert, the son of the deceased prince, on April 6. The cardinal's message included an acknowledgment of Rainier's long years of service to the people of Monaco, and his prayers that the prince would find "peace in the eternity of God's Kingdom." On behalf of the cardinals assembled in Rome, he also prayed for consolation for the relatives of the deceased prince and the people of his nation.

Prince Rainier, who was 81 at the time of his death, had been ill for several weeks, stricken by a bronchial-pulmonary infection. He had led the little independent state, bordering France on the Mediterranean Sea, for 55 years; since the death of his wife, the famous American actress Grace Kelly, in 1982, he had ruled alone. Prince Albert, now 47, inherits the throne.