I have been asked by the Secretariat of State to transmit the following message to you:
The Most Reverend Alexander Aloysius McGuckian, Bishop of Down and Connor
Saddened to learn of the untimely death of Archbishop Noël Treanor,
Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union and former Bishop of Down and
Connor, his Holiness Pope Francis sends heartfelt condolences and the
assurance of his spiritual closeness to the members of his family,
especially his brother John and his sister Mary, and to you, the clergy,
religious and lay faithful of the Diocese.
Expressing deep gratitude for Archbishop Treanor’s devoted and faithful
service to the people of God in this local church, to wider Irish
society, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European
Union, and most recently to the Apostolic See, his Holiness joins you in
commending his soul to the loving mercy of Christ the Good Shepherd.
To those gathered for the Mass of Christian Burial and to all who mourn
the late Archbishop in the sure hope of the Resurrection, the Holy
Father cordially imparts his blessing as a pledge of peace and
consolation in the Lord.
On behalf of the superiors of the Secretariat of State, and in my own
name, I send sympathies together with our prayers for Archbishop
Treanor’s eternal rest.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State (Vatican)