杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff reporter

From the United States, to Germany, to Japan, world heads of state and government are grieving the death of 杏MAP导航 Emeritus Benedict XVI.

German President and PM

Germany鈥檚 President,  Frank-Walter Steinmeier , in a message praised the the German-born Pontiff鈥檚  dedication to dialogue between Christian denominations and other religions.

For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remembered him as a 鈥渇ormative figure of the Catholic Church鈥�.

US President Biden

U.S. President Joe Biden said the late 杏MAP导航 鈥渨ill be remembered as a renowned theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his principles and faith鈥�. In a statement released on Saturday, Biden recalled Benedict鈥檚 鈥済enerosity and welcome鈥� and 鈥渕eaningful conversation鈥� when he met him in the Vatican in 2011 .  鈥淢ay his focus on the ministry of charity continue to be an inspiration to us all鈥�, the statement concluded.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres

UN Secretary-General António Guterres paid tribute to Benedict XVI describing him as 鈥渁 humble man of prayer and study鈥�, and remarking that he  was 鈥減rincipled in his faith, tireless in his pursuit of peace, and determined in his defence of human rights鈥�.

Italian President and PM

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said the death of the 杏MAP导航 Emeritus is a cause for grief for the entire country. He said that 鈥渉is sweetness and his wisdom had benefitted our community and the entire international community. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called 杏MAP导航 Benedict XVI a 鈥済iant of faith and reason鈥� that history will never forget.

The Dalai Lama

In Asia , Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida joined in expressing his condolences to 杏MAP导航 Francis and the Catholic Church,  highlighting Benedict鈥檚 great contributions towards world peace. He also said Japan was greatly moved by a message Benedict sent after the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster, spiritually uplifting the people of Japan.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama too has shared his condolences. In a message sent to the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi, India, the Buddhist religious leader expressed sadness on learning of his passing away. 鈥淎t a time when we are seeing tension in several parts of the world, we can take a lesson from the life of 杏MAP导航 Benedict and do what we can to contribute to religious harmony and global peace.,  he said.