Benedict, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzingerwas elected as pope April 19, 2005 to succeed the deceased John Paul II, and he left his post February 28, 2013place occupied by the Argentine Jorge bergogliowho chose the name Francisco.
The death of the emeritus pope generated reactions in various parts of the world, one of them in Russia: the president Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to the Vaticanand singled out Benedict as “a prominent religious and statesman, a staunch defender of traditional Christian values”as reported by Europa Press.
Mourning also reached Spain. The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayusorecalled the Pope’s “multitudinous” visit to the Spanish capital in 2011 for World Youth Day, and highlighted Ratzinger as “a historical figure for the church” who “was always a friend of Spain”“It is a day of mourning for believers and respect for non-Catholics,” Díaz added in a video posted on the official Twitter of the Madrid Community.
▶️ “It is a day of mourning for believers and respect for non-Catholics. Rest in peace, one of the great sages of the Church.”
⚫️ The president @IdiazAyusoafter the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. pic.twitter.com/27tEM7MjjG
– Community of Madrid (@ComunidadMadrid) December 31, 2022
The Spanish deputy and president of the ultra-right party VOX, Santiago Abascalstressed that Benedict invited people to be “creative minorities that leaven society with Good, Truth and Beauty”. “We will never forget your love for Spain and your constant call for our unity. Rest in peace”he wrote on his Twitter.
Benedict XVI invited us to be creative minorities that ferment society with Good, Truth and Beauty.
We will never forget his love for Spain and his constant call for our unity.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/6l6d7nJpQN
– Santiago Abascal ?? (@Santi_ABASCAL) December 31, 2022
Two former Latin American presidents also expressed their condolences. The former Colombian president ivan duke assured that with the death of the emeritus pope “one of the most important theologians of humanity and one of the most rigorous doctrinaires of the Catholic Church says goodbye”.
With the death of Pope Benedict XVI, one of the most important theologians of humanity and one of the most rigorous doctrinaires of the Catholic Church is said goodbye. His rigor in faith and vocation of service will always be remembered as a seal of his pontificate. He rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/ERvKaJbzZh
— Iván Duque ?? (@IvanDuque) December 31, 2022
For his part, former Mexican President Felipe Calderon defined Benedict as a “wise pope: teacher of Church Doctrine; brave”what “faced interests and prejudices to prosecute sexual abuse cases.”
Rest in peace Benedict XVI. Wise Pope: teacher of the Church Doctrine; courageous: faced interests and prejudices to prosecute cases of sexual abuse; generous: despite travel difficulties he visited us in Mexico; humble and sensible: he renounced the Papacy due to old age. https://t.co/QUuJdmc71e
— Felipe Calderón ?? (@FelipeCalderon) December 31, 2022
There were also repercussions in the world of music: the Mexican singer Marco Antonio Solis invited his Twitter followers to “Make a prayer to ask for the eternal rest of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI”.
This morning I want to invite you to pray for the eternal rest of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who has already departed for the house of the Lord. ???️✝️
— Marco Antonio Solis (@MarcoASolis) December 31, 2022
