WASHINGTON: Joining Catholics around the world in mourning the death of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that the late leader will be remembered as a renowned theologian. “He will be remembered as a renowned theologian with a life of devotion to the Church guided by his principles and his faith,” Biden said in a statement.
“I had the privilege of spending time with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in 2011 and will always be remembered for his generosity and hospitality as well as our meaningful conversation,” the US President said.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the United States mourns the passing of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus – a holy man, witness to the faith and once shepherd of the Catholic faithful.
“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a dedicated leader and committed to interreligious dialogue. He was an advocate for vulnerable people, including refugees, internally displaced people and migrants. He supported international legal measures to defend them. He was a renowned theologian within the Catholic Church for decades,” he said in a statement.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the Catholic faithful around the world, to the Holy See and to all those whose lives have been enriched by the spiritual guidance of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” he added.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a statement described Pope Benedict as a world leader whose dedication, scholarship and message of hope have stirred the hearts of people of all faiths.
“Spiritually, I am always moved by Pope Benedict XVI’s powerful encyclical ‘God is Love’ where he quotes St. Augustine emphasizing our moral duty as public servants to strive for justice,” she said.
“Officially, I had the privilege of visiting His Holiness in the Vatican and in 2008 to join him in welcoming him to our nation’s capital. May this comfort His Holiness Pope Francis and the Vatican community that so many people are praying for Pope Benedict during this sad time,” Pelosi said.
“I had the privilege of spending time with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in 2011 and will always be remembered for his generosity and hospitality as well as our meaningful conversation,” the US President said.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the United States mourns the passing of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus – a holy man, witness to the faith and once shepherd of the Catholic faithful.
“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a dedicated leader and committed to interreligious dialogue. He was an advocate for vulnerable people, including refugees, internally displaced people and migrants. He supported international legal measures to defend them. He was a renowned theologian within the Catholic Church for decades,” he said in a statement.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the Catholic faithful around the world, to the Holy See and to all those whose lives have been enriched by the spiritual guidance of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” he added.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a statement described Pope Benedict as a world leader whose dedication, scholarship and message of hope have stirred the hearts of people of all faiths.
“Spiritually, I am always moved by Pope Benedict XVI’s powerful encyclical ‘God is Love’ where he quotes St. Augustine emphasizing our moral duty as public servants to strive for justice,” she said.
“Officially, I had the privilege of visiting His Holiness in the Vatican and in 2008 to join him in welcoming him to our nation’s capital. May this comfort His Holiness Pope Francis and the Vatican community that so many people are praying for Pope Benedict during this sad time,” Pelosi said.
