After the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Chancellor Scholz emphasizes his role as a "defining figure" and "quarrelsome personality". CSU boss Söder even sees him as one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century. An overview of the first reactions.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. emphasized its importance for Germany. "As a 'German' Pope, Benedict XVI was a special church leader for many, not only in this country," explained the SPD politician on Twitter. "The world is losing a formative figure in the Catholic Church, a controversial personality and a clever theologian."
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid tribute to Benedict XVI. as a mediator between religions. "The unity of Christianity and the dialogue between religions, the coexistence of religion and society were particularly important to him. He sought dialogue with Jews and Muslims and all Christian denominations worldwide," wrote Steinmeier.
Already in the work of Professor Joseph Ratzinger, a high level of theological and philosophical education was combined with understandable language. "That's why many people, not just Catholics, found clear orientation in his writings and speeches. He faced people's searches and questions," said the Federal President.
Federal Council President Peter Tschentscher also called Benedict XVI. one of the most important theologians of his time. The mayor of Hamburg explained that he represented the traditions of the Catholic Church with great conviction and at the same time conducted a dialogue with representatives of the Protestant Church, Judaism and Islam. "Like his election as the first German pope of modern times and his retirement from official offices in 2013, his death also moves the faithful in Germany and his Bavarian homeland in a special way."
The chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Friedrich Merz, reacted with great dismay to the death of the former patriarch. The CDU and the Union faction mourned the longstanding head of the Catholic Church, said Merz. He explained: "Pope Benedict was able to trigger a new orientation towards the Catholic Church across all generations, especially in his home country of Germany. We bow in sadness and gratitude to the life's work of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI."
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder paid tribute to Benedict XVI. honored as a "convincing representative of the Catholic Church". "The death of Benedict XVI touches me, like many people in Bavaria and all over the world," said the CSU leader. With him, society has lost one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century.
"In turbulent and challenging times, he was the religious head of the Catholic faithful," said Söder. "Many people in his home country will remember him not only as Pope Benedict XVI, but also as a humble pastor. He gave many people strength and orientation." At the same time, Benedict XVI. also have to take responsibility for difficult phases in his work.
Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner also emphasized his achievements after the death of the emeritus pope. "The first German pope in 482 years passed away today," wrote the FDP chairman on Twitter. And: "Benedict XVI was a personality steeped in history and a not undisputed intellectual. But today we commemorate him as a human being."
Former Bundestag President Norbert Lammert praised the "outstanding importance" of the theologian Benedict XVI. He remembers two events in Germany: "His big, brilliant dispute with Jürgen Habermas from 2004 in the Catholic Academy in Munich about faith and reason as defining characteristics of Western culture and his memorable speech in the German Bundestag on September 22, 2011 as part of his official visit to Germany," said Lammert. Both are documents of a rare combination of intellectual brilliance and personal modesty. Benedict was the first pope to speak in the Bundestag on a trip to Germany in 2011.
The Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Bishop Cardinal Reinhard Marx, mourns the death of Pope Benedict XVI. "It is with great sadness that we received the news that Pope emeritus Benedict XVI passed away today," the cardinal said. Joseph Ratzinger "was a great pope who always exercised his pastoral ministry with boldness and strong faith".
Abroad also paid tribute to the deceased ex-Pontifex: Russian President Vladimir Putin called Benedict XVI. as a "defender of traditional Christian values". In his letter of condolence, he also praised the former Pope as an "outstanding religious and state personality".
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Benedict XVI. as "giant of faith and reason". She called the German "a man for the love of the Lord, who has placed his life at the service of the universal Church and has spoken and will continue to speak to the hearts and minds of the people with the spiritual, cultural and intellectual depth of his Magisterium". "A Christian, a pastor, a theologian: a great man whom history will not forget," she wrote in a statement.
"My thoughts are with the Catholics in France and around the world who mourn the loss of His Holiness Benedict XVI," said French President Emmanuel Macron. The deceased "worked with soul and mind for a more brotherly world".
Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to the late Pope Emeritus' commitment to peace. "At this time of the return of war on our continent and in so many parts of the world, we remember his unifying efforts to find a common path to promoting peace and goodwill around the world," Higgins said in a statement . He emphasized Benedict XVI's "unwavering interest" in peace in Northern Ireland.
Poland's President Andrzej Duda wrote on Twitter that the world had lost "one of the most extraordinary theologians of the 20th and 21st centuries". Through his life, work, and pastoral ministry, he has acted as a guide through the twisted and treacherous roads of the present. Born Joseph Ratzinger, the former church leader died at the age of 95 after a long illness.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki described the deceased as a "great Catholic thinker, a spiritual authority and a - albeit modest - person of exceptional caliber". Ratzinger, as the longstanding chairman of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, worked closely with Pope John Paul II, who came from Poland. "Perhaps that's why he had a special relationship with our country," Morawiecki said, according to the PAP agency.
According to a Vatican spokesman, Benedict XVI, who came from Bavaria, was died at 9.34 am on Saturday in a residence in the former Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens. In February 2013, he resigned from the office of Pope in a highly unusual move for health reasons. With his resignation, he wrote church history: Benedict was the first pope since 1415 to resign as head of the Catholic Church.
A few days ago, his health had deteriorated sharply. On Wednesday, Pope Francis asked for prayers for his "very ill" predecessor. "My thoughts are with Pope Francis," wrote Chancellor Scholz.
