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Pope Francis has sent a special message of condolence to the family of former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who died last month.
The letter was read at a memorial Mass in Rome to honour the former Labor leader.
In the message, it was noted that the Pope personally prayed for Mr Whitlam after hearing of his death.
The Mass, held on Monday evening at the chapel in Domus Australia in Rome, was celebrated by Australian Cardinal George Pell.
Cardinal Pell’s sermon recognised Mr Whitlam as “one of the great figures in Australian history”.
He was also a great friend to Catholics, establishing state aid for Catholic schools, an indispensable policy that ended 90 years of resentment and for which the Catholic Church is still grateful, Cardinal Pell said.
Mr Whitlam, as prime minister and foreign minister, began diplomatic relations between Australia and the Vatican.
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