Pope John Paul sent the following telegram to the archdiocesan administrator of the archdiocese of Chicago Nov. 14.

“Having learned with great sadness of the death of the archbishop of Chicago, Joseph Bernardin, I offer my prayerful condolences to the auxiliary bishops, priests, religious and laity of the archdiocese. I join all gathered for the solemn funeral rite in commending the cardinal's noble soul to the eternal love of Almighty God, who in His Providence never fails to raise up wise and holy men to shepherd his people. I am confident that the example of the cardinal's devoted service as priest in his native Charleston, as archbishop of Cincinnati and archbishop of Chicago, his untiring work as general secretary and president of the bishops'conference, his generous cooperation with the Holy See, as well as his witness of dignity and hope in the face of the mystery of suffering and death will inspire all who knew him to ever greater fidelity to Christ and to the Gospel of our Redemption. Invoking the comforting gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the cardinal's mother and family and upon all who mourn in the hope of resurrection, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of peace in Jesus Christ Our Lord.”