Global Reactions to the Death of Former Pope Benedict by Health & Fitness Journal

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©Health & Fitness Journal. FILE PHOTO: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he appears for the last time on the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on February 28, 2013. Osservatore Romano/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo 2/2

(Health & Fitness Journal) – Below are reactions to the death of former Pope Benedict, who became the first pope in 600 years to step down from office rather than rule for life:

FEDERAL CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ ON TWITTER:

“As a “German” #Pope, #BenedictXVI was a special church leader for many, not only in this country. The world loses a formative figure in the Catholic Church, a quarrelsome personality and a shrewd theologian. My thoughts are with Pope.” Francis.”

MARKUS SOEDER, PREMIER OF HOME STATE BENEDIKT BAVARIA:

“We mourn our Bavarian Pope. The death of Benedict XVI I, like many people in Bavaria and around the world, are deeply touched by the most influential theologians of the 20th century. In turbulent and challenging times he was the religious leader of the Catholic faithful. Many people in his home country will not only remember him gratefully as Pope Benedict XVI, but also as a humble pastor… Unforgotten is his several-day visit to Bavaria as the new Pope, who expressed his love for the country and people and his always carried home in my heart.”

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI:

“Benedict XVI. was a giant of faith and reason. A man in love with the Lord who has dedicated his life to the service of the universal Church and 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 man whom history will not forget.”

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

“My thoughts go out to Catholics in France and around the world who are saddened by the passing of His Holiness Benedict XVI, who worked with all his soul and intelligence for a more fraternal world.”

POLISH PRESIDENT ANDRZEJ DUDA:

“Pope Benedict XVI. went to our father’s house. Today the world has lost one of the greatest theologians of the 20th and 21st centuries, a close associate of St. John Paul II’s life, works, and pastoral ministry are a guide among the many winding and treacherous roads of modern times. RIP”

Outgoing BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO:

“Though his pontificate was brief, he leaves an immense legacy for the Catholic Church, for all Christians, and for humanity… In defense of the truth of the gospel, he fearlessly criticized the errors of so-called ‘liberation theology,’ which intends to mislead Christianity of Marxism.”

CARDINAL VINCENT NICHOLS, ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Benedict. He will be remembered as one of the great theologians of the 20th century. I remember with particular fondness the remarkable papal visit to these countries in 2010.”

PATRIARCH KIRILL, LEADER OF RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

“The absolute authority of Benedict XVI. as an outstanding theologian, enabled him to make a significant contribution to the development of inter-Christian cooperation … and to the protection of traditional moral values.

“During the papacy of Benedict XVI. The relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church developed significantly in a spirit of fraternal cooperation and a desire to work together to overcome the sometimes painful legacy of the past.”

JUSTIN WELBY, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND LEADER OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY:

“Pope Benedict was one of the greatest theologians of his time – committed to the faith of the Church and steadfast in its defense. In all things, not least in his writings and preaching, he looked to Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God. It was abundantly clear that Christ was the root of his thought and the foundation of his prayer.”

UK PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK:

“I am saddened by the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. to experience. He was a great theologian whose visit to Britain in 2010 was a historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics in our country. My thoughts are with Catholics in the UK and around the world today.”