It is with profound sadness that I learned of the death of His Excellency, the Most Reverend Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America. I first met Archbishop Sambi in the summer of 2005 in Jerusalem when he was Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and he warmly received me and our entourage of priests and rabbis on an interfaith visit to the Holy Land. Since our visit was so cordial, I was pleased when just a few months later he was named Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. I am especially grateful for his instrumental role in my appointment as Bishop of Springfield in Illinois by Pope Benedict XVI last year. Archbishop Sambi was a loving shepherd as the Holy Father's representattive. May he rest in peace and may God give comfort to his many friends and family."