“A giant of faith and reason”: Giorgia Meloni thus recalls Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a few hours after the news of his death, which occurred this morning.
Joseph Ratzinger, 95, was the 265th pope of the Catholic Church and bishop of Rome from 2005 to 2013, when he announced his resignation from the Petrine ministry during the consistory for the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto and three other blesseds.
The Prime Minister “expressed to the Holy Father Francis the government’s and my personal participation in his pain and that of the entire ecclesial community”, recalling that Benedict XVI was “a man in love with the Lord who put his life at the service of 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. A Christian, a pastor, a theologian: a great figure in history that history will never forget”.
Ratzinger will also be remembered for his decision to retire to private life as a Pope who was still alive, the last renunciation of a pontiff to his role had taken place 598 years earlier, in 1415, by Pope Gregory XII.
Mattarella: “Unforgettable figure for the Italian people”
The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella has chosen to recall in a press release “his sweetness and wisdom” which “have benefited our community and the entire international community”. “With dedication – adds the Head of State – he continued to serve the cause of his Church in the unprecedented guise of Pope Emeritus with humility and serenity. His figure remains unforgettable for the Italian people. Intellectual and theologian, he has finely interpreted the reasons for dialogue, peace, the dignity of the person, as the supreme interests of religions. With gratitude we look to his testimony and his example ”.
Salvini: “We pray for you”
Among the other exponents of the majority, the words of Matteo Salvini, on Twitter: “Dear Pope Benedict XVI, We thank you for your Illuminated Pontificate, for the Hope you have given, for the Strength of your words, for the Courage with which you defended life and roots. We pray for you, in the certainty that you will accompany us on our journey”.
The president of the Senate Ignazio La Russa learned of the news “with great sadness”: “Ratzinger was a spiritual guide of remarkable charisma and an example of profound faith, a firm and at the same time mild pastor, a fine scholar and author of numerous essays, he represented a point of reference well beyond the duration of your pontificate”.
From Macron to Metsola: reactions abroad
Messages of condolence also from abroad, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz underlining the loss of “an exceptional figure” of the Catholic Church for the world, while from France Emmanuel Macron declared: “My thoughts are with the Catholics of France and of the world, mourning the departure of His Holiness Benedict XVI, who worked with soul and intelligence for a more fraternal world”. Rishi Sunak, British premier, said today he was “saddened” by the death of the “great theologian” Benedict XVI. European Parliament president Metsola mentions it to commemorate his death on Twitter. “Do not be afraid of the world, or of the future, or of your own weakness”.
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