In a telegram sent to His Eminence Cardinal Jozef De Kesel, Danneels’ successor as Archbishop of Mechelin-Brussels, His Holiness Pope Francis said he learned “with sadness” of Cardinal Danneels’ death, and expressed condolences to all those “affected by this loss”. His Holiness Pope Francis described Cardinal Daneels as a “zealous pastor” who “served the Church with dedication, not only in his diocese, but also at the national level as president of the Conference of Bishops of Belgium, while being a member of various Roman dicasteries”.
As reported by Vatican news, The Pontiff also noted His Eminence Cardinal Danneels’ active participation in various Synods of Bishops, including the Synods on the Family, to which he was appointed by His Holiness Pope Francis himself. Cardinal Danneels “has been called to God at this time of purification and of walking toward the Resurrection of the Lord”, the Pontiff said in his telegram. “I ask Christ, victor over evil and death, to welcome him in His peace and joy”.
