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Pope Leo remembers the late Cardinal Ruini as a wise brother
In a telegram, Pope Leo XIV offers his condolences for the passing of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar General Emeritus of the Diocese of Rome and important figure in the Italian Church, expressing his “gratitude to the Lord for the gift of this esteemed man of the Church.”
By Isabella H. de Carvalho
In a telegram released on Wednesday, June 17, Pope Leo XIV expressed his “closeness and condolences” upon learning of the passing of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar General Emeritus of the Diocese of Rome and former head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, who passed away on Tuesday, June 16, aged 95
Pope Leo remembered him as an “experienced and wise brother, characterized by deep faith, keen intelligence, and far-sighted vision, who served the Gospel and the Church with discretion and self-sacrifice.”
He also recalled “his fruitful work for the Italian Bishops’ conference” and “productive dialogue with the world of culture.”
Pope Leo XIV additionally emphasized his “gratitude to the Lord for the gift of this esteemed man of the Church.” The telegram was addressed to Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome.
“I ask the Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, to welcome” Cardinal Ruini “into the heavenly Jerusalem, and from my heart I impart the apostolic blessing to all who mourn his passing, with a grateful thought for those who cared for him so devotedly,” the Pope concluded.
An important figure in the Italian Church
Cardinal Camillo Ruini was born in Sassuolo, central Italy, in 1931 and was ordained in 1954. He was Auxiliary Bishop of Reggio Emilia from 1983 to 1986 and was later created cardinal in 1991 by Pope John Paul II.
That same year he became Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome and Archpriest of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, until 2008, and also president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, until 2007. He is remembered as being an influential figure in the Italian Church.
The Diocese of Rome, the current President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, and various other Italian Catholic organizations have released statements remembering Cardinal Ruini’s service to the Church.
The funeral on Thursday
In recent months, his health had deteriorated, forcing him to receive daily care at home.
Previously, he had faced several health issues, including a heart attack in July 2024 and kidney failure in 2025, which had required hospitalization.
The funeral will take place on Thursday, June 18, at 4:30 p.m., at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.
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