North Rhine-Westphalia: Mourning for Pope Benedict: "Historical Personality"

Pope Benedict XVI also left its mark in North Rhine-Westphalia.

North Rhine-Westphalia: Mourning for Pope Benedict: "Historical Personality"

Pope Benedict XVI also left its mark in North Rhine-Westphalia. Churches and politicians expressed their condolences on the death of the Pope Emeritus. Peter's bell rang in Cologne Cathedral.

Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - North Rhine-Westphalia is also mourning the loss of Pope Benedict XVI. The Petersglocke - the largest bell in Cologne Cathedral - rang on Saturday morning after the death of the former pope was announced. The death knell of the minster also rang in Bonn. Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), politicians and representatives of the Catholic and Protestant churches paid tribute to the late Pope. Benedict's visit to the World Youth Day in Cologne in 2005 was often remembered.

Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) said: "With the emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, we are losing a historical personality in church history and one of the most distinguished theologians of the 20th and 21st centuries." As the head of the Roman Catholic Church and an outstanding theologian, Joseph Ratzinger will "go down in the collective memory of German history," said the head of government. "The ecclesiastical and theological heritage of Joseph Ratzinger is historical."

Benedict's work both in science and as the theologian of the Second Vatican Council made him "one of the most important theologians over the centuries," said Wüst. The fact that even as Pope he always remained a scientist at heart "also caused him irritation in the practice of the pontificate."

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki from Cologne paid tribute to Benedict XVI. as a "deep spiritual thinker". According to a statement from the Archdiocese, Woelki said: "His theology has shaped and strengthened countless people in their faith - just like the humility and courage with which he filled all his offices. His life is closely linked to the great church events of the time "He shaped the church of today in a prophetic way," says Woelki.

The Bishop of Essen, Franz-Josef Overbeck, described Benedict as a "great theologian" and "a man of great knowledge". The Bishop of Munster, Felix Genn, shared that Benedict was of the utmost importance for his theological development. "Certainly one or the other side of his work is critically examined." Aachen Bishop Helmut Dern called Benedict "one of the greatest theologians of our time". Many future generations would continue to draw significant theological and spiritual insights and inspiration from his texts.

In a letter of condolence, the President of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland, Thorsten Latzel, described Benedict as "an impressive personality and an outstanding figure in the history of Christianity in the 20th and 21st centuries". According to Latzel, Benedict and the Protestant Church had decidedly different views on numerous theological, ecclesiastical and social issues. "In any case, he was an experienced, stimulating discussion partner for us and for many people in the global ecumenical community."

NRW State Parliament President André Kuper recalled the work of Pope Benedict in North Rhine-Westphalia. "His path also led him to North Rhine-Westphalia, where the professor taught at the Universities of Bonn and Münster." SPD parliamentary group leader Thomas Kutschaty wrote on Twitter that Benedict's death "completes the eventful life of an outstanding theologian". His election as pontiff was a historic event "with which many Catholic Christians connected great hope". The Catholic Church has lost a strong leader with him.

Cologne cathedral provost Guido Assmann emphasized the former pope's special connection to Cologne. On World Youth Day 2005, Benedict took the boat from Rodenkirchen to the old town to make a pilgrimage to the shrine of the Three Kings. The cathedral chapter commemorated the late pope on Saturday afternoon with a prayer for the dead, in which Woelki also took part. A book of condolences was laid out in the cathedral.

Benedict died at the age of 95 on Saturday morning at 9.34 a.m. in the Vatican monastery Mater Ecclesiae. He lived there for the past few years after resigning in 2013. A funeral service is planned for January 5 on St. Peter's Square.