Sounds to me that Teddy was extremely fearful of meeting his maker and was greasing the skids...as well he should have given his failings as a Christian.
I pray that he had a conversion of heart before departing this world and that he, and all of us sinners attain the Beatific Vision.
Exactly how I see it. It's a true politician's letter. It reads like a job application sent to the CEO's best pal. "I've done X, Y and Z......now could you please go talk to the boss and put in a good word for me before I have to go into his office?"
It's almost as if he's saying "if the Pope buys this, maybe God will, too".
I find it tragic beyond words.