The main political leaders of Europe have shared messages of condolences on Saturday following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, of German origin, recalling the historical importance of his figure and theological legacy.
One of the first to make public his condolences was the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, a compatriot of Benedict XVI, whom he described as «an intelligent theologian» as well as «a special leader for the Church» capable of transcending borders.
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, also expressed her sorrow at the death of «a giant of faith and reason», of «a great man of history whom history will not forget» even as the years go by.
«He put his life at the service of 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,» she emphasized on Twitter.
At the level of the European Union, the President of the European Commission, the German Ursula Von der Leyen, wanted to highlight the «strong signal» that Benedict XVI sent with his resignation from office, since he showed that «he saw himself first as a servant of God and of the Church.»
«Once his physical strength waned, he continued to serve with the strength of his prayers,» Von der Leyen added.
For her part, the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said that «Europe mourns» the death of Benedict XVI, of whom she recalled a statement: «Do not be afraid of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness».
SHARED CONDOLENCES The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, expressed his condolences on Twitter: «My thoughts are with the Catholics of France and the world, mourned by the departure of His Holiness Benedict XVI, who worked with soul and intelligence for a more fraternal world».
The Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, described Benedict XVI as one of the greatest theologians of our time and called for the continuation of his «great legacy», while the Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer, referred to him as a «remarkable historical figure», noting also that he was the first Pope to abdicate in recent history.
Nehammer has recalled the emeritus pope’s visit to Austria, something that the prime minister of Malta, Robert Abela, has also done by paying tribute to the deceased on social networks. «I send my condolences to the Holy See,» Abela has said.
In this line, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, has said that all Catholics have lost this Saturday «an important spiritual and intellectual leader», whom he has called to remember «with respect». For the head of the Government of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, he was «one of the leading intellectual figures of our time».
Outside the EU bloc, the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, expressed his condolences on behalf of his government and the entire population of the United Kingdom, in memory of a «great theologian». Sunak described as «historic» the visit he made to the UK in 2010, «for Catholics and non-Catholics alike».
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
