Pope Laments Death of Family Council President

Pope Benedict says that Cardinal LĂłpez Trujillo Was a Defender of Life.

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Benedict XVI expressed his condolences at the death of the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, calling the cardinal a "tireless pastor [...] generously dedicated to the service of the Church and the gospel of life."

Colombian Cardinal Alfonso LĂłpez Trujillo died Saturday at the Pius XI Clinic in Rome. He was 72.

The Pope's message was directed to the cardinal's brother. It said: "In these difficult moments, I feel very close to all of you and I ask God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Chiquinquira, that he grants eternal rest to this tireless pastor, who was so generously dedicated to the service of the Church and the gospel of life.

"His extensive ministerial work, carried out as a priest and auxiliary bishop of Bogota, as archbishop of Medellin, as secretary and president of the Latin American episcopal council, president of the Colombian episcopal conference, and finally, as president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, is a clear testimony of his deep love for the Church and his dedication to the noble cause of the promotion of marriage and the Christian family."

Cardinal LĂłpez Trujillo was named the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family in 1990. Vatican Radio commented Sunday that he dedicated his life "to the Church, to Latin America, and to the ministry of the family."

He was a strong defender of the teaching of the Church on matters regarding life, contraception, marriage and the responsibility of politicians in defending the dignity of the person. He was also responsible for organizing the first five World Encounters for the Family.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, will celebrate Mass with other members of the college Wednesday at St. Peter's Basilica.

Benedict XVI will preside at the funeral liturgy, pronounce the homily, and administer the rites of "Ultima Commendatio" and of "Valedictio."