[wagglebee]

This section could certainly be called an "account" of something much more detailed:

His Holiness prays that in the days ahead you may be sustained in faith and hope, and granted the precious grace of joyful surrender to the will of God, our merciful Father.

[Alamo-Girl]

My disappointment stems from the excerpt of Kennedy's letter which reads like a list of self-commendations. To me, that screams of someone needing assurance and guidance on how to prepare for physical death.

And indeed, that phrase packs a lot of meaning. Perhaps that is all the Pope cared to say to the man, i.e. if he can't figure it out, tough luck.

Would the Church be that dismissive with any man?

If someone close to you, someone you loved dearly, was dying, sought you out with a list of his accomplishments in this life - what would you say?