Vatican City, Jun 7, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Vatican Press Office announced today that Pope John Paul II sent a heartfelt telegram to Nancy Reagan, expressing his “sadness” on the death of Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States.
"Having learned with sadness of the death of President Reagan, I offer you and your family my heartfelt condolences and the assurance of my prayers for his eternal rest,” wrote the Pope.
“I recall with deep gratitude the late president's unwavering commitment to the service of the nation and to the cause of freedom as well as his abiding faith in the human and spiritual values which ensure a future of solidarity, justice and peace in our world,” he continued.
“Together with your family and the American people I commend his noble soul to the merciful love of God our Heavenly Father and cordially invoke upon all who mourn his passing the divine blessings of consolation, strength and peace."