The retired Catholic archbishop of Port Louis, Cardinal Jean Margéot, a highly respected figure in Mauritius, died on Friday aged 93.

In 2005, Cardinal Margéot suffered from a severe cerebral stroke that gradually deteriorated his health. Reports said the state declared national mourning for the cardinal and suspended sporting events.

Pope Benedict XVI mourned the passing of Cardinal Margeot in a condolence message to Bishop Maurice Piat C.S.Sp. of Port Louis. He expressed his "profound union in prayer with the diocese of Port-Louis, with the family of the deceased and with everyone affected by this loss. Entrusting him to the mercy of the Lord, I give thanks to God for the ministry of this zealous pastor who dedicated his entire life to the inhabitants of the Isle of Mauritius, as diocesan priest then as bishop of Port-Louis, giving the best of himself that Christ might be announced, especially through his generous commitment to serving the defence and promotion of the family."

Cardinal Margéot was born on February 3, 1916, at Quatre Bornes. He was ordained in priest in 1938 at the age of 22 and became Bishop of Port-Louis in 1969. He was made his country's first cardinal in 1988.

The prelate served as president of the Indian Ocean bishops' conference from 1986 to 1989. He retired from leading the diocese in 1993, for reasons of age. The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has some 1.3 million inhabitants, with 28 percent professing the Catholic faith.