VATICAN CITY (CNS) Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, a former Vatican official, a longtime champion of the poor, a prime mover behind the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon and a good friend of Pope Francis, died July 4, just over a month before his 88th birthday.
Pope Francis told reporters in 2013 that Cardinal Hummes helped inspire him to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi when he was elected pope.
During the March 2013 conclave, he said, I was seated next to the archbishop emeritus
In a telegram of condolence following the death of Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Pope Francis spoke of the prelate’s “dedicated and zealous service, always guided by Gospel values.