    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [January 11, 2009]
    [Pages 1542-1543]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Cardinal Pio Laghi
    January 11, 2009

        Laura and I send our deepest condolences to
    Pope Benedict XVI and all Catholics on the
    passing of Cardinal Pio Laghi. Cardinal Laghi was a friend who, in his
    more than 60 years of service to the Catholic Church, worked tirelessly
    for peace and justice in our world. As the Papal Nuncio to the United
    States during the final years of the cold war, and in his many other
    assignments, Cardinal Laghi always strove to unite people of all
    religions and promote reconciliation, religious freedom, and tolerance.
    Cardinal Laghi holds an especially

    [[Page 1543]]

    important place in the hearts of the American people, having served as
    the first Papal Nuncio to the United States following the formal
    establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the
    Holy See in 1984.
        On behalf of all Americans, Laura and I join
    Catholics around the world to offer our gratitude for the courageous
    service and life of Cardinal Laghi and commit ourselves to carrying his
    peaceful message forward.