Pope Francis Attends Funeral Mass of Cardinal Sodano and Provides the Valediction at the Conclusion of the Liturgy

Pope Francis attended the funeral Mass of Cardinal Angelo Sodano on May 31, 2022. He also provided the valediction at the conclusion of the funeral Mass. According to Vatican News, the main celebrant at the Mass was Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. He recalled the former Secretary of State’s love for Christ and his faithful service to the Church and the Pope.

Cardinal Sodano, who died at 94 years of age, was the Vatican's Secretary of State for 15 years.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, Pope Francis commended the soul of Cardinal Sodano to the mercy of Almighty God.

In his homily during the Mass, Cardinal Re recalled Sodano’s seventy-one years of priesthood and over sixty years of service to the Holy See.

“In his long years of service to the Holy See, Cardinal Sodano firmly believed in Christ and followed Him faithfully, serving Him with love and dedication to the Church and His Vicar.”

The late cardinal entered the service of the Holy See in 1961, serving in nunciatures in Latin America during the Second Vatican Council and its immediate aftermath. Later, beginning in 1968, he was engaged in diplomatic work in Eastern Europe at the height of the Cold War.

(Edited from Vatican News )