[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 45, Number 2 (Monday, January 19, 2009)]
[Pages 46-47]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

[[Page 47]]

of Cardinal Laghi and commit ourselves to carrying his peaceful message 
forward.