Faith, world leaders pay tribute to Pope Benedict’s legacy
Religious and political leaders across the world have sent their condolences for the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, praising his devotion to the Church and commitment to world peace.
The German pope died Dec. 31 at age 95, after more than eight years as pope from 2005 to 2013 and nearly 10 years of retirement.
President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden, a Catholic, said in a statement that Benedict will be remembered as a “renowned theologian with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his principles and faith.”
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Benedict was “principled in his faith, tireless in his pursuit of peace, and determined in his defense of human rights.”
”He was a spiritual guide to millions across the world and one of the leading academic theologians of our time,” Guterres said in a statement.
The Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama shared his condolences in a message sent to the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi, India. The Buddhist religious leader expressed sadness on learning of Benedict’s passing away. “At a time when we are seeing tension in several parts of the world, we can take a lesson from the life of Pope Benedict and do what we can to contribute to religious harmony and global peace., he said.
Ronald S. Lauder, World Jewish Congress
Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, said, “No pope before him visited as many synagogues and he made a point of meeting with local Jewish community representatives whenever he visited foreign nations.”
As pope and cardinal, he gave “the Catholic-Jewish relationship solid theological underpinning and enhanced understanding,” Lauder said, adding that he was “deeply moved” by the late pope’s “affection and friendship for Jewish people.
Rev. Ioan Sauca, World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches’ acting general secretary Rev. Ioan Sauca said that “within a short time of Benedict becoming pope, long-standing grievances that had prevented meetings of the Catholic-Orthodox dialogue commission were swept aside.”
Abu Bakr Moretta, Italian Islamic Religious Community
Abu Bakr Moretta, president of the Italian Islamic Religious Community, offered the condolences of Muslims in Italy in a message recalling the late pope’s visit to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2006, and his various meetings with Muslim heads of state and theologians.
“We recall his theological stature, which during the years of his pontificate provided the occasion for an intellectual debate between Christians and the Islamic world,” Moretta wrote in a statement Dec. 31.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
In a statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who leads the Church of England, said the pope is one of the greatest theologians of his time.
“Pope Benedict was one of the greatest theologians of his age — committed to the faith of the Church and stalwart in its defense,” Welby wrote.
Does reading about faith inspire you? Do you have a story or information about your faith you want to share? Tell us more!
Discover More:
