Pope Benedict XVI is dead: The world mourns Joseph Ratzinger

Reactions to the death of Benedict XVI.
“The world is losing a formative figure in the Catholic Church, a controversial personality and a clever theologian”

The world mourns the death of former Pope Benedict XVI.

© Pier Paolo Cito/AP/dpa

On New Year’s Eve morning it became known that the former Pope Benedict XVI. passed away at the age of 95. Well-known personalities say goodbye and share their dismay on social media.

Joseph Ratzinger was the first German Pope to take office in 2005, for over 480 years. Almost eight years later, in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI. voluntarily – as the first pope in more than 700 years. He has now passed away at the age of 95 and the world mourns his death.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz shared a statement on Twitter:
“As a ‘German’ #Pope, #Benedict XVI was a special church leader for many, not only in this country. The world is losing a formative figure in the Catholic Church, a combative personality and a clever theologian. My thoughts are with Pope Francis.”

Andriy Melnyk, the former Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, posted a photo on Twitter and wrote:
“Benedict XVI, one of the greatest Popes of all time. RIP”

Christian Lindnerthe German Federal Minister of Finance wrote:
“The first German pope in 482 years has died. Benedict XVI was a historical figure and a not undisputed intellectual. But today we commemorate him as a person. CL”

Germany takes part in the death of Benedict XVI.

Markus SoderBavarian Prime Minister, posted a picture of the deceased on Twitter and wrote:
“We mourn our Bavarian Pope. The death of #BenedictXVI touches me as much as many other people do. With him, society loses a convincing representative of the Catholic Church and one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century.”

Alexander Van der BellenFederal President of the Republic of Austria, tweeted:
“I was deeply touched to learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He had a special connection to Austria. On behalf of the Republic and personally I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy today. Through his neutral and discreet mediation in numerous crisis situations, Benedict XVI . had a lasting influence on the foreign policy of the Holy See. And in particular he has always emphasized the importance of dialogue between religions and cultures.”

Peter TschentscherMayor of Hamburg, writes:
“Pope Benedict XVI dedicated his life to faith and the Catholic Church. He is one of the most important theologians of his time. Like his election as Pope, his death also moves the faithful in Germany and his Bavarian homeland in a special way.”

Cerstin Gammelinspokeswoman for Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier, published a picture:

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