European leaders mourn the death of Benedict XVI

Posted On: December 31, 2022

Scholz, Meloni, Von der Leyen, Macron and Sunak offer their condolences on the death of the pope emeritus

MADRID, December 31 (EUROPA PRESS TELEVISION) –

Europe’s top political leaders have shared messages of condolences this Saturday following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who hails from Germany, given the figure’s historical significance and theological legacy.

One of the first to express his condolences was the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, a compatriot of Benedict XVI, whom he described as “a shrewd theologian” as well as “a special leader of the Church” capable of transcending boundaries.

The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, also expressed regret over the death of “a giant of faith and reason”, “a great man in history who history will not forget” even as the years pass.

“He devoted his life to serving the universal Church and has spoken, and will continue to speak, to the hearts and minds of men with the spiritual, cultural and intellectual depth of his Magisterium,” he said on Twitter.

At EU level, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen of Germany, wanted to highlight the “strong signal” that Benedict XVI sent with his resignation from office, as she indicated that “she saw herself first as a servant of God and the Church”.

“As soon as his physical strength weakened, he continued to serve with the power of his prayers,” added von der Leyen.

Meanwhile, the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said that “Europe mourns” the death of Benedict XVI, from which she recalled a statement: “Don’t be afraid of the world, or the future, or your future.” weakness”.

Please accept my condolences

French President Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences on Twitter: “My thoughts are with French Catholics and the world in mourning the loss of His Holiness Benedict XVI, who worked with soul and intelligence for a more fraternal world.” .

Poland’s Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, described Benedict XVI as one of the greatest theologians of our time and called for him to continue his “great legacy”, while Austria’s Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, called him “an extraordinary historical figure”, also stressing that he is Pope first to abdicate in recent history.

Nehammer recalled the pope emeritus’ visit to Austria, something the Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela, also did by paying tribute to the deceased on social networks. “I send my condolences to the Holy See,” Abela said.

In line with this, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, has confirmed that all Catholics have lost this Saturday “an important spiritual and intellectual leader”, whom he called on to be remembered “with respect”. For the head of the Government of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, he is “one of the major intellectual figures of our time”.

Outside the EU bloc, the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has expressed condolences on behalf of his Government and the entire population of Great Britain, in memory of a “great theologian”. Sunak described as “historic” a visit he made to Britain in 2010, “both for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.”