Pope Francis describes the late Cardinal Jozef Tomko as a man of deep faith and farsighted gaze

Describing late Cardinal Josef Tomko as a man of great faith and wisdom, Pope Francis recalled his 'long and fruitful service' as Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and in other major Vatican offices.

In his condolence message to Archbishop of Košice, Bernard Bober, Pope said,

"In remembering this esteemed and wise brother who, sustained by deep faith and a far-sighted gaze, humbly and self-sacrificingly served the Gospel and the Church, I think with gratitude of his long and fruitful work in the Holy See as a diligent and prudent collaborator of my predecessors."

Slovakian Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, died in Rome on Monday, 8 August, at the age of 98.

Created a Cardinal in 1985 by Pope John Paul II, he was the oldest member of the College of Cardinals.

He was under home-care following treatment at Gemelli hospital for injury to cervical spine due to a fall.

Cardinal Tomko's funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

He served 16 years (1985-2001) as the head of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which was responsible for coordinating church activities in mission territories, especially Africa and Asia.