Former Archbishop of Paris, André Vingt-Trois, has died at the age of 82

Created cardinal in November 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI, André Vingt-Trois had notably served as president of the French Bishops' Conference.

Of your charity, pray for the repose of his soul

Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, former Archbishop of Paris, has died, the current Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, announced on Friday, July 18. Created cardinal in November 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI, André Vingt-Trois had notably served as president of the French Bishops' Conference. He was 82 years old.

"He was much more than our archbishop, but a pastor, a father, an example."

Born on November 7, 1942, in Paris, into a Catholic family, but not a practicing one, and ordained a priest in 1969, André Vingt-Trois was appointed Archbishop of Tours in 1999. He succeeded Jean-Marie Lustiger as Archbishop of Paris in 2005 and was created a cardinal in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. That same year, he became President of the French Bishops' Conference (CEF), serving two terms during which he did not hesitate to engage in the arena on social issues.

"For many of us, priests, deacons, and the faithful of Paris, he was much more than our archbishop, but a pastor, a father, an example," emphasized Bishop Ulrich, paying tribute to the Archbishop Emeritus of Paris, who had suffered for several years from Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The Archbishop of Paris requested that "at 5 p.m. today (Friday), the bell of our Notre-Dame Cathedral and the bells of all the parish churches in our diocese toll a single peal for each of his 82 years." The 6 p.m. mass at Notre-Dame will be celebrated in his honor, and others will be celebrated in Parisian churches on Saturday and the following days, the archbishop also announced. A book of condolences will also be opened on the website of the Diocese of Paris.

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