During the final phase of Ted Kennedy's funeral Cardinal Theodore McCarrick read a letter that Ted Kennedy had President Obama hand deliver to Pope Benedict XVI when Obama visited him in Italy on July 10th 2009.
At the 6:28 mark on the video below, Cardinal McCarrick begins to read the Kennedy letter which addresses the Health Care issue with the Pope.
Here is some of what Kennedy wrote.
I want you to know, Your Holiness, that in my nearly 50 years of elected office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor, and open doors of economic opportunity. I've worked to welcome the immigrant, to fight discrimination, and expand access to health care and education. I've opposed the death penalty, and fought to end war.
Those are the issues that have motivated me and have been the focus of my work as a United States Senator. I also want you to know that even though I am ill, I am committed to do everything that I can to achieve access to health care for everyone in my country.
This has been the political cause of my life. I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health field, and I'll continue to advocate for it, as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national health policy that guarantees health care for everyone.
I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short through human failings, I've never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith. I continue to pray for God's blessings, on you and on our Church, and would be most thankful for your prayers for me.
Kennedy continues the fight for health care from the grave.
Update: I am humbled and excited about the honor of this diary being in the rec list.
Update 2: Hat tip to stef for assistance with embedding the video.