«In every apostolic work he was always animated by the desire to bear witness, with meekness and wisdom, to God’s love for man, working for fraternity between peoples and religions». With these words, Pope Francis describes the figure of Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, who died on November 25, at the age of 72.
The Spanish cardinal was hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome and died “at the end of a long illness borne with great faith,” Francis wrote in a telegram of condolence sent to David Costa Domingues, vicar general of the Comboni Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a congregation that Ayuso had joined in 1973. “A spiritual son of St. Daniel Comboni,” the Pope wrote in fact, recalling the man he chose in 2019 to lead the Dicastery that deals with relations with other religions, in succession to Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, and whom he wanted at his side on numerous international apostolic trips.
A ministry given without reservation
“With affection and admiration,” the Pontiff praises the work of “this brother who served the Gospel and the Church with exemplary dedication and delicacy of spirit.” In particular, Francis expressed his “gratitude” for the ministry he carried out “sparing no effort, first as a zealous missionary in Egypt and Sudan, then as president of the Pontifical Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies, and finally at the service of the Roman Curia in the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.” He then said that he prayed to God that, “through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he may welcome this faithful servant to the heavenly Jerusalem.”
The funeral
In these hours, numerous expressions of condolence for the death of the cardinal have been received from representatives of other confessions, highlighting Ayuso’s great humanity and his work in promoting interreligious dialogue. The funeral – announced today the Vatican Press Office – will take place today, November 27, at 2 p.m., at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgy will be celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, together with cardinals, archbishops and bishops. At the end of the celebration, Pope Francis will preside over the rite of the Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio.
