World leaders have begun pouring tributes for the late former pope Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday at age 95.
Some of the tributes are listed below:
France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, said the ex-pope “strove with soul and intelligence for a more brotherly world”.
Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, hailed his fellow countryman as a “special church leader” who helped shape the Catholic church.
“The world has lost a formative figure of the Catholic Church, an argumentative personality and a clever theologian,” he said.
UN chief, Antonio Guterres, praised the former pontiff for his “tenacious commitment to non-violence and peace”.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, hailed the former leader of the Catholic Church as a “giant of faith and reason”, describing him as “a Christian, a pastor, a theologian, a great figure in history, that history will never forget”.
EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said he would be remembered for “his efforts for global peace and the centrality of human beings’ dignity” in his ideas.
Poland’s Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, bid farewell to “one of the greatest theologians of our time”.
“Throughout his life, he showed the spiritual and intellectual depth of Christianity. He leaves behind a great legacy,” he said.
Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, said he was “an eminent religious and state figure, a convinced defender of traditional Christian values”.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill said former pope Benedict XVI was as an “outstanding theologian”.
Ireland’s President, Michael D. Higgins, said he would “be remembered for his untiring efforts to find a common path in promoting peace and goodwill throughout the world, including a steadfast interest in peace in Northern Ireland”.
UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said Benedict was “a great theologian whose UK visit in 2010 was an historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics throughout our country.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Anglican world’s highest-ranking cleric, described him as “one of the greatest theologians of his age”.
European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, said he had “set a strong signal through his resignation” in 2013.
“Once his physical strength waned, he continued to serve through the power of his prayers,” she said.