Czech Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, who washed windows and ministered underground during communism, died of cancer on March 18 in Prague at the age of 84.
The retired archbishop of Prague was elected the first East European president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences and dedicated his term to rebuilding the Church and society after communism in the East and defending Christian values in the face of secularism and materialism in the West.
In a telegram to Cardinal Dominik Duka of Prague, Pope Francis recalled "with admiration" the late cardinal's "tenacious fidelity to Christ despite the privation and persecution against the Church."
