The presidents and prime ministers of many countries around the world were some of the political personalities who regretted the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German Joseph Ratzinger.
The head of the French state, Emmanuel Macronsent a message of condolences to the Catholics “of France and of the world” after the death of Benedict XVI, who stressed that he worked “for a more fraternal world.”
“My thoughts go out to the Catholics of France and the world, mourning the departure of His Holiness Benedict XVI, who worked with soul and intelligence for a more fraternal world,” Macron posted on his Twitter account shortly after the news broke. of death.
Mes pensées vont aux catholiques de France et du monde, endeuillés par le départ de Sa Saintete Benoît XVI, qui œuvra avec âme et intelligence pour un monde plus fraternal.
—Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 31, 2022
The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchezpraised him as a “great theologian” delivered “at the service of others.”
“My deepest condolences to the Catholic Church on the death of His Holiness Benedict XVI,” Sánchez tweeted, adding that he was “a great theologian dedicated to the service of others, justice and peace.”
My heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church on the death of His Holiness Benedict XVI. A great theologian dedicated to the service of others, justice and peace.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) December 31, 2022
The Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costaexpressed his “condolences to the entire Catholic community for the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI”, on Twitter and added: “I remember the honor of having received him in Lisbon, when he was mayor, and the beautiful celebration that he presided over in the renovated Terreiro do Paco”.
While the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Melonidismissed him as “a giant of faith and reason” who “spoke, and will continue to speak, to the hearts and minds of men with the spiritual, cultural, and intellectual depth of his Magisterium.”
“Benedict XVI was a giant of faith and reason. He put his life at the service of the universal Church and spoke, and will continue to speak, to the hearts and minds of men with the spiritual, cultural and intellectual depth of his Magisterium” , the far-right leader tweeted.
A uomo innamorato del Signore. A Christian, a pastor, a theologian: a grande della storia che la storia non dimenticherà.
I express to the Holy Father Francesco the partecipazione of the Government and my personal pain to his and to the inter-ecclesial community.— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) December 31, 2022
Meanwhile, the Italian president, Sergio Mattarellaassured that the country “is in mourning” for the death of Benedict XVI, whose “sweetness and wisdom have benefited” “the entire international community.”
“With dedication he continued to serve the cause of his Church in the unprecedented position of pope emeritus with humility and serenity. His figure remains unforgettable for the Italian people,” said Mattarella, 81.
Meanwhile, the British Prime Minister, the Conservative Rishi Sunakhighlighted his sadness and highlighted the “historic” visit of the German religious to the United Kingdom in 2010.
“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” Sunak tweeted, adding that “he was a great theologian whose visit to the UK was a historic moment for Catholics and non-Catholics across the country alike.”
I am saddened to learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
He was a great theologian whose UK visit in 2010 was a historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics throughout our country.
My thoughts are with Catholic people in the UK and around the world today.
—Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) December 31, 2022
Also the Prime Minister of Austrialia, Anthony Albanese he tweeted: “Saddened to learn of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, tonight. May he rest in eternal peace.”
The German Chancellor, Olaf Schölzsaid that Benedict XVI was “a special hierarch for many people and not only in Germany”, which was his country of origin.
“The world has lost a leading figure in the Catholic Church, a controversial personality and an intelligent theologian,” he tweeted.
The German President, Frank Walter SteinmeierFor his part, he said of Benedict that “his faith, his intellect, his wisdom and his personal humility” had always impressed him.
Als „deutscher“ #papst war #BenediktXVI. für viele nicht nur hierzulande ein besonderer Kirchenführer. Die Welt verliert eine prägende Figur der katholischen Kirche, eine streitbare Persönlichkeit und einen klugen Theologen. Meine Gedanken sind bei Papst Franziskus.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) December 31, 2022
Meanwhile, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putinrecognized him as “an outstanding religious and statesman, a staunch defender of traditional Christian values” and recalled that during his pontificate “full diplomatic relations were established between Russia and the Vatican, and relations between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches developed roman”.
“I had the opportunity to talk with this exceptional person and I will always keep the best memories of him. I would like to convey my sincere condolences to him in this hour of grief,” Putin added in a statement, the Kremlin reported.
Cyril, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Churchhighlighted, for his part, in his message of condolences to Pope Francis “the unquestionable prestige of Benedict XVI as an outstanding theologian” who promoted “the development of inter-Christian cooperation” and “the defense of traditional moral values,” the agency reported. from AFP news.
“I offer my deepest condolences to Catholics and to those around the world who have been inspired by his life of prayer and his steadfast commitment to nonviolence and peace,” said the UN chief, the Portuguese Antonio Guterresreferring to the death of Benedict XVI.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskytweeted: “I express my sincere condolences to Pope Francis, the hierarchy and the faithful of the Catholic Church throughout the world on the death of Pope Benedict XVI, a prominent theologian, intellectual and promoter of universal values.”
The elected president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvatweeted: “It is with sadness that I received the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. We had the opportunity to speak about his commitment to the faith and Christian teachings during his visit to Brazil in 2007 and to the Vatican. I wish comfort to the faithful and admirers of the Holy Father”.´
I received with sadness the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Bento XVI. We had the opportunity to talk at his home in Brazil in 2007 at the Vatican, about his commitment to faith and Christian teachings. I wish comfort to you faithful and admirers of the Holy Father.
?: @ricardostuckert pic.twitter.com/A0vEPBltqv– Lula (@LulaOficial) December 31, 2022
The President of Ecuador, William Lassoexpressed his condolences to Pope Francis and to the Catholics of the world on the death of Pope Benedict XVI.
“Moved by the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, I send my feelings of sorrow and those of the Ecuadorian people to Pope Francis and to all the Catholics of the world,” he tweeted.
