Pope Francis’ telegram for the funeral of eight-month-old Indi Gregory, who died after a long illness, is a message of condolence and closeness to her parents and loved ones.

The Pope begins by expressing his sadness at the death of Indi, whom he describes as “a little angel who has reached heaven”. He also affirms that he is “close to Indi’s parents at this moment of grief”.

We publish below the telegram of condolence for the funeral taking place today at Nottingham Cathedral, Great Britain, of little Indi Gregory, sent – on behalf of the Holy Father Francis – by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, to H.E. Mgr. Patrick Joseph McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham:

Telegram

THE RIGHT REVEREND PATRICK MCKINNEY
BISHOP OF NOTTINGHAM

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF LITTLE INDI GREGORY, AND HE SENDS CONDOLENCES AND THE ASSURANCE OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO HER PARENTS, DEAN AND CLAIRE, AND TO ALL WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF THIS PRECIOUS CHILD OF GOD.  ENTRUSTING INDI INTO THE TENDER AND LOVING HANDS OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, HIS HOLINESS JOINS THOSE GATHERED FOR HER FUNERAL IN THANKING ALMIGHTY GOD FOR THE GIFT OF HER ALL-TOO-SHORT LIFE.  HE LIKEWISE PRAYS THAT THE LORD JESUS, WHO SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME… FOR IT IS TO SUCH AS THESE THAT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS” (MT 19:14), WILL GRANT ABIDING COMFORT, STRENGTH AND PEACE TO YOU ALL.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE