After the death of Cardinal De Magistris, the College of Cardinals is composed of 213 Cardinals: 119 electors and 94 non-electors.
Vatican City (16/02/2022 3:30 PM, Gaudium Press) The Archdiocese of Cagliari has reported that Cardinal Luigi De Magistris, 95-year-old, passed away in the early hours of this Wednesday, February 16. Visitation will be open from 3 p.m. at the local Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Cecilia. The funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 17.
The Archdiocese recalled, “with admiration and gratitude the intense apostolic work of Cardinal De Magistris.” It asked the faithful to raise fervent prayers to the Lord “that he may welcome this his faithful servant to the heavenly Jerusalem and grant his comfort to his family members and all those who enjoyed his friendship during the time of his earthly life.”
Pope Francis’ Telegram
Pope Francis expressed his closeness and condolences to the family through a telegram addressed to the Archbishop of Cagliari, Archbishop Giuseppe Baturi. “In remembering this esteemed brother who, animated by an irreproachable priestly zeal, served the Lord and the Church with great dedication, I think with gratitude of his generous commitment to the Holy See as a diligent and wise collaborator of my predecessors,” the pontiff said.
The Holy Father highlighted the love for the ministry of reconciliation that Cardinal De Magistris “always carried out with admirable diligence, striving for the good of souls” and promised his prayers that God “may welcome this faithful servant in the heavenly Jerusalem.
With the death of Cardinal De Magistris, the College of Cardinals is now composed of 213 Cardinals, 119 electors and 94 non-electors.
Biographical Information
Born in the Italian city of Cagliari, Luigi De Magistris was the youngest of the six children of Edmondo and Agnese Ballero. He received an education based on the daily practice of charity towards all, especially those most in need.
He graduated in Literature in his hometown and then joined the Roman Seminary, being ordained priest on April 12, 1952, by Archbishop Paolo Botto in Cagliari Cathedral.
Card De Magistris held various offices in his Archdiocese and the Vatican. Appointed titular Bishop of Nova by John Paul II on March 6, 1996, he was consecrated on April 28 of the same year by Cardinal Giovanni Canestri in the church of Sant’Anna, located in the Sardinian capital.
On November 22, 2001, he became a major penitentiary. In 2003 he resigned from his institutional duties due to the age limit. Yet, De Magistris continued working in the care of souls in the Roman communities of San Francesco a Ripa and especially San Salvatore in Lauro.
In 2010, for health reasons, he returned to his hometown. Welcomed by Archbishop Giuseppe Mani and Monsignor Arrigo Miglio (who succeeded Monsignor Mani in February 2012), he carried out, until some years ago, the ministry of confessor in the cathedral. Pope Francis created him Cardinal during the Consistory of February 14, 2015. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
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