Archbishop Sambi's funeral moved to Italy, stateside memorial Mass scheduled

Washington D.C., Jul 29, 2011 / 12:12 pm

Updated July 29, 2011 at 6:07 p.m. MDT. Includes details about funeral location and book of condolences.

U.S. bishops involved in planning memorial arrangements for papal nuncio Archbishop Pietro Sambi told CNA on July 29 that his funeral has been moved to Italy.

Archbishop Sambi's funeral will be held at his hometown of Sogliano sul Rubicone, Italy.

According to an official from the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., the nuncio's body is expected to arrive in Italy on July 31.

Although a stateside funeral was originally planned for August 6, Archbishop Sambi's family decided on the evening of July 28 that his funeral and burial would take place in his hometown.

For those wishing to offer their sympathies, a book of condolences will be available at the nunciature between  August 1 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

Instead of a funeral in the U.S., a memorial Mass for Archbishop Sambi will be held at noon in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 14. The Mass will be televised on EWTN.

Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, rector of the basilica, confirmed plans for the memorial Mass with CNA on July 29.

Archbishop Sambi began his duties as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States in Washington, D.C. in 2006. He died at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on July 27, at the age of 73, after complications from a delicate lung surgery.

Since his passing, tributes and condolences have poured in from all over the United States.