Munich (dpa / lby) - With deep sadness, the President of Bavaria, Ilse Aigner, received the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. recorded. Benedict XVI was one of the most important personalities in Bavaria, Germany and worldwide. For decades he shaped the Catholic Church and the Roman Curia "like no other," she said, according to a statement on Saturday.
Even after his resignation, he was "highly valued by people as an author and theologian with great vision". "Even those who did not agree with them paid attention to his ideas and analyses," says Aigner.
The president of the state parliament went on to write: "When Benedict XVI realized that his strength was no longer sufficient, he resigned - as the first pope in 719 years - to resign. This courageous and historic decision reflected his great sense of responsibility in a special way."
As Pope, Benedict was always connected to an ambassador of Bavaria in the world and to his homeland, said Aigner, recalling her visit to the Vatican in 2012: At that time, among other things, he was very interested in how Bavarian farmers were doing. "That's also why he was held in high esteem here in Bavaria. I found him to be a very warm-hearted person. I will keep the memories I met with gratitude."
