It is with great sorrow that I announce the death today of Hi Eminence Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Archbishop Emeritus of São Paulo and Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy, at the age of 88, after a long illness that he endured with patience and faith in God. Born in Salvador do Sul (RS) on 08.08.1934, he entered religious life in the Order of Friars Minor; he received priestly ordination on 3 August 1958 and episcopal ordination on 25 May 1975. He was Diocesan Bishop of Santo André (SP), Archbishop of Fortaleza and Archbishop of São Paulo. He was appointed a member of the College of Cardinals by Pope Saint John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 February 2001. From 2006 to 2011, he worked alongside Pope Benedict XVI in Rome as Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. Returning to Brazil, he served as President of the Episcopal Commission for Amazonia, the (National Conference of Brazilian Bishops) (CNBB) and the newly created Ecclesial Conference of Amazonia (CEAMA). I invite all to raise prayers to God in gratitude for the late Cardinal Hummes' hardworking life and in suffrage on his behalf that God may welcome him and give him eternal life, as he believed and hoped. May God welcome our deceased brother, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, into his eternal home and let everlasting light shine upon him. His body will be laid to rest in St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral, where Masses will be celebrated at times to be announced in due course. São Paulo, 4 July 2022 Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer Archbishop of São Paulo
