[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
[September 5, 1997]
[Page 1131]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 1131]]


Remarks on the Death of Mother Teresa and an Exchange With Reporters in 
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
September 5, 1997

    The President. With the passing of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the 
world has lost one of the giants of our time. She served the poor, the 
suffering, and the dying, and in so doing, she served as an inspiration 
and a challenge to all the rest of us. With the power of her humble and 
unconquerable faith, she touched the lives of millions of people in 
India, here in the United States, and throughout the world.
    Like anyone who ever met her, I was profoundly moved by her 
conviction and her courage. Hillary had the privilege of working with 
Mother Teresa and her community to open a home for abandoned babies in 
Washington, and later she and Chelsea had the opportunity to see her and 
her community work firsthand in India.
    The home for the dying she opened in Calcutta almost 50 years ago is 
called Nirmal Hriday, Pure Heart. If ever there was a pure heart, it was 
hers. Mother Teresa is gone, but the Gospel teaches us that faith, hope, 
and love endure. She had them in abundance, and they will stay with us 
forever.

Deaths of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa

    Q. Mr. President, this has been quite a week for the loss of 
meaningful women. Any comment--[inaudible]----
    The President. Well, you know Hillary is going to leave in just a--
well, a couple of hours now, maybe even shorter, to fly to London to the 
funeral of Princess Diana. And I think the world has been profoundly 
moved by that. And obviously, hundreds of millions of people around the 
world looked up to Mother Teresa and admired her. I think it will be a 
time of great reflection, and I hope a time of rededication.
    I think all of us were deeply moved by the pictures today from 
London of Princess Diana's sons and Prince Charles and the royal family 
greeting the mourners and beginning the sort of public healing process, 
along with the private one. And I think tomorrow will be a sad but a 
very important and positive day.
    Q. Do you think there might be a chance the First Lady might go to 
Mother Teresa's funeral?
    The President. I don't know. I just heard.

Note: The President spoke at 4:30 p.m. at the Richard Friedman 
residence.