HIS Holiness Pope Francis on Wednesday, October 18, sent his condolences to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Cebu through telegram upon news of the death of Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
The message reads,
"The Most Reverend Jose S. Palma, Archbishop of Cebu,
Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, I extend my sincere condolences to you, and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
"Joining with you in expressing profound gratitude for the late Cardinal’s untiring and devoted service to the Church, and for his constant advocacy of dialogue and peace for all the people in the Philippines, I commend his soul to the infinite love and mercy of our heavenly Father. As a pledge of consolation and hope in the Lord, to all who mourn his passing in the certain hope of the Resurrection, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing.
FRANCISCUS PP."
The message was shared by Fr. Jan Limchua, Second Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Egypt.
The Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal died at the Perpetual Succour Hospital at 7:28 a.m. Wednesday. He was 86 years old.
The remains of the late prelate is open for public viewing at the cathedral until Friday, October 20. He will be transferred to the St. Pedro Calungsod Shrine on D. Jakosalem Street in Cebu City for the fifth anniversary of the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod on October 21.
The remains will be brought back to the cathedral at 8 p.m. of the same day for the requiem mass.
Cardinal Vidal will be buried around 9 a.m. of October 26 at the mausoleum of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. (SunStar Philippines)