We publish below the telegram of condolence for the death of Mr. Fernando Villavicencio, sent – on behalf of the Holy Father Francis – by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the Archbishop of Quito (Ecuador), H.E. Mgr. Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus, S.D.B:

Telegram

TO HIS EXCELLENCY

MGR. ALFREDO JOSÉ ESPINOZA MATEUS, S.D.B.

ARCHBISHOP OF QUITO

HAVING RECEIVED THE SAD NEWS OF THE ASSASSINATION OF MR FERNANDO VILLAVICENCIO, THE HOLY FATHER WISHES TO TRANSMIT HIS MOST HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO HIS EXCELLENCY, TO THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED AND TO ALL THE BELOVED PEOPLE OF ECUADOR.

MOREOVER, FACED WITH THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY UNJUSTIFIABLE VIOLENCE, WHICH HE CONDEMNS WITH ALL HIS MIGHT, HIS HOLINESS INVITES ALL CITIZENS AND POLITICAL FORCES TO UNITE IN A COMMON EFFORT FOR PEACE.

WITH THESE SENTIMENTS, POPE FRANCIS, WHILE ENTRUSTING THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF MR VILLAVICENZO TO THE MATERNAL INTERCESSION OF OUR LADY OF EL QUINCHE, AFFECTIONATELY IMPARTS THE APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A SIGN OF FAITH AND HOPE IN THE RISEN CHRIST.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN

SECRETARY OF STATE

[Original text: Spanish]