On behalf of Pope Francis, the Vatican State Secratrary Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a telegram message on the occasion of the death of former US President Jimmy Carter.
“His Holiness Pope Francis has received with sadness the news of the passing of former President Jimmy Carter and offers his deepest condolences,” the message of condolence begins.
“Recalling President Carter’s firm commitment, motivated by a profound Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace among peoples, the defence of human rights and the well-being of the poor and needy, the Holy Father entrusts him to the infinite mercy of Almighty God and prays for the consolation of all who mourn his loss,” he concludes.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement in which he stressed that “her lifelong work for peace among nations will continue to serve as an inspiration to a world in need of peacemakers” and assured his prayers “for the repose of her soul and the comfort of her family.”
In his 2006 book Our Values at Risk , Carter expressed his “conviction that every abortion is an unplanned tragedy, caused by a combination of human errors, and this has been one of the most difficult moral and political problems I have ever faced. As president, I accepted my obligation to enforce the Supreme Court’s decision Roe v. Wade while at the same time trying by every possible means to reduce the number of abortions to a minimum.”
Carter also supported equating the natural institution of marriage to same-sex unions.
According to The Huffington Post , Carter’s family explained that the former president fulfilled their wish to vote for Kamala Harris in the last presidential election, as the Democratic candidate is a defender of unlimited abortion.