Benedict XVI: Francis, Charles and Biden lead tributes

Pope Francis, King Charles III and President Joe Biden are among the world leaders who have paid tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died this morning at the Vatican at the age of 95.

Pope Francis

“It is with emotion that we remember his person, so noble and so kind. And we feel in our heart such gratitude to God for having gifted him to the Church and the world. Only God knows the sacrifices he offered for the good of the Church. We owe him thanks for his testimony of faith and prayer, especially in these final years of retired life.”

King Charles III

“I remember with fondness my meeting with His Holiness during my visit to the Vatican in 2009. His visit to the United Kingdom in 2010 was important in strengthening the relations between the Holy See and the United Kingdom. I also recall his constant efforts to promote peace and goodwill to all people, and to strengthen the relationship between the global Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.”

President Joe Biden

“I had the privilege of spending time with Pope Benedict at the Vatican in 2011 and will always remember his generosity and welcome as well as our meaningful conversation. He will be remembered as a renowned theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his principles and faith. May his focus on the ministry of charity continue to be an inspiration to us all.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster

“Pope Benedict will be remembered as one of the great theologians of the 20th century. I remember with particular affection the remarkable Papal Visit to the United Kingdom in 2010. We saw his courtesy, his gentleness, the perceptiveness of his mind and the openness of his welcome to everybody that he met. He was through and through a gentleman, through and through a scholar, through and through a pastor, through and through a man of God – close to the Lord and always his humble servant. Pope Benedict is very much in my heart and in my prayers. I give thanks to God for his ministry and leadership.”

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

“Principled in his faith, tireless in his pursuit of peace, and determined in his defence of human rights, he was a spiritual guide to millions across the world and one of the leading academic theologians of our time. We recall his 2008 visit and address to the United Nations and his appeal for “building international relations in a way that allows every person and every people to feel they can make a difference.” I offer my deepest condolences to Catholics and others around the world who were inspired by his life of prayer and tenacious commitment to non-violence and peace.”

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 

“The Church gives thanks for the treasured ministry of Pope Benedict XVI. A superb theologian who lent his talents as a peritus at the Second Vatican Council, he continued throughout his long life to be an effective teacher of the faith. As a priest, university professor and theologian, archbishop, and cardinal, his voice in deepening an authentic understanding led all of us to a more profound love of truth and the mystery of God. It will take many years for us to delve more deeply into the wealth of learning that he has left us.”

Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

“I am saddened to learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He was a great theologian whose UK visit in 2010 was an historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics throughout our country. My thoughts are with Catholic people in the UK and around the world.”

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

“As Canadians we are especially grateful for his efforts to heal the wounds of our past. Benedict XVI publicly acknowledged the scourge of abuse by clergy, apologized for it, and strengthened Church processes to respond to allegations, including facilitating the prosecution or suspension from the clerical state those found responsible for abuse. [He also] expressed his regret and sadness for the sorrow suffered by many Indigenous people in the residential school system. [W]e pray that the love and hope that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI found in the Risen Lord may continue to inspire and comfort us in the trials and tribulations of our own earthly lives.”

Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

“At this time of mourning in the Catholic Church throughout the world, we remember his gentle soul in prayer, asking God, in His great mercy, to forgive his sins and human failings, while rewarding his generous service and complete dedication to the Gospel and to the Church. On behalf of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, and the faithful across Ireland, I extend sympathy to Pope Francis, to the family members and carers of the Pope Emeritus, and to all those in his native Germany and around the globe who loved him and will mourn his loss. Now that his earthly journey has ended, I pray that, by the help of God’s mercy, the saints will go out to meet him and welcome him into his heavenly home.“

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

“Pope Benedict XVI taught us that belief in God means completely placing our trust in Divine Providence. Throughout his life as a scholar and as a churchman, he showed us what it means to fulfill the ancient command to love God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland

“It is with sadness that Catholics around the world will have learned of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. At this time of the return of war on our continent and in so many areas of the world, he will 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. He will be remembered too for the value he attached to intellectual work and for the personal commitment he gave to such within the Roman Catholic Church, this work being respected by both supporters and critics. Of particular importance was that during his tenure, Pope Benedict sought to highlight both the common purpose of the world’s major religions and his injunctions as to how our individual responsibilities as citizens require the highest standards of ethics in our actions.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York

“The human family grieves the passing of this erudite, wise, and holy man, who spoke the truth with love. The family of the Church especially mourns his death, while grateful for the gift he was of a good shepherd and Holy Father… Faith and reason: the legacy of Pope Benedict XVI, whom we remember with reverence, love and gratitude. May the angels lead him into paradise!”

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

“I send my heartfelt condolences on behalf of all the citizens of Israel to the Christian world on the passing of Pope Benedict XVI. He was a great spiritual leader and committed with all his heart to the historic reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Jewish world, a tradition he continued during his historic visit to Israel in 2009. We will remember him as a true friend.”

Dom Hugh Gilbert OSB, Bishop of Aberdeen and President of the Scottish Bishops’ Conference

“With the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict, we lose one of the leading Catholic figures of the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of our own. By nature, a shy and scholarly man and by profession a priest-theologian, he found himself drawn ever more into public life. as archbishop of Munich, as prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, and finally as pope, the first German since the end of the Second World War to attain world pre-eminence. He once wrote: ‘My basic intention has been to expose the real core of the faith underneath the encrustations, and to give this core its true power and dynamism. This has been the constant direction of my life.’ His full stature will surely emerge increasingly.”

Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria

“The death of Benedict XVI touches me deeply, as it does many people in Bavaria and all over the world. With him, society loses a convincing representative of the Catholic Church as well as one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century. In turbulent and challenging times, he was the religious leader of the Catholic faithful. Many people in his homeland will remember him with gratitude not only as Pope Benedict XVI, but also as a humble pastor.”

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

“I am saddened by the passing away of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who devoted his entire life to the Church and the teachings of Lord Christ. He will be remembered for his rich service to society. My thoughts are with the millions around the world who grieve his passing.”

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington

“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a man of extraordinary faith and humble demeanor, who was a gifted servant of Christ’s Church. With an erudite yet humble mind he invited all believers to seek the face of God.”

The Dalai Lama

“I pray for our spiritual brother and offer my condolences to the members of the Catholic Church. When I had the opportunity to meet Pope Benedict I found there was much we agreed about in relation to human values, religious harmony and the environment. During his papacy, he worked hard to promote these issues. He lived a meaningful life. At a time when we are seeing tension in several parts of the world, we can take a lesson from the life of Pope Benedict and do what we can to contribute to religious harmony and global peace.”

Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy

“The death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is a moment of grief for Italy. His gentleness and wisdom have benefited our community and the entire international community. With dedication he continued to serve the cause of his Church in the unprecedented role of Pope Emeritus with humility and serenity. His figure remains unforgettable for the Italian people. An intellectual and theologian, he interpreted with subtlety the reasons for dialogue, peace, the dignity of the person, as the supreme interests of religions. With gratitude we look to his testimony and to his example.”

The American Jewish Committee

“A true friend of the Jewish people, Benedict XVI continued the path of reconciliation and friendship with world Jewry blazed by his predecessor, John Paul II. He condemned antisemitism as a sin against God and man, and he emphasized the unique relationship between Christianity and Judaism. In addition to his personal friendships with Jews in Israel and the Diaspora, Benedict visited synagogues and met with local Jewish communities throughout his various pilgrimages, emphasizing his commitment to deepening the bonds between the Church and world Jewry. His memory is for a blessing.”

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

“Pope Benedict’s passing saddens me. My sympathy goes out to all Catholics. He had set a strong signal through his resignation. He saw himself first as a servant for God and his Church. Once his physical strength waned, he continued to serve through the power of his prayers.”

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

“Pope Benedict was one of the greatest theologians of his age – committed to the faith of the Church and stalwart in its defence. In all things, not least in his writing and his preaching, he looked to Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God. It was abundantly clear that Christ was the root of his thought and the basis of his prayer.”

Photo: TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images

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