The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, laments the death of Benedict XVI, recalling one of the emblematic passages of the emeritus pope’s speech, in August 2011, at the World Youth Days in Madrid.
“Do not be afraid of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weaknesses”, was the challenge that the Pope launched to the young people, during the prayer vigil. These were the words of Joseph Ratzinger that Roberta Metsola recovered this Saturday to express her “sadness” upon learning of the death of Benedict XVI, saying that “Europe is [hoje] in mourning” for the death of the German Pope.
Meanwhile, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also came to express her condolences to “all Catholics”, saying that the death of Benedict XVI is the only event that “saddens” her.
Von der Leyen considers that the resignation of Joseph Ratzinger in 2013, “when his physical abilities declined”, represented a “sign of strength” that allowed him to “serve the church” through the “power of his prayers”.
The first European reactions to the death of Benedict XVI came as the European Union marks the end of the rotating European Union presidency, hailing the work done by the incoming government, led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who ha I also come to express “great respect” for the Pope emeritus, thanking him for the opportunity to have met him personally.
Petr Fiala highlighting the role of Joseph Ratzinger as “theologian and intellectual”, even considering that he is “one of the main intellectuals of today”. The head of the Czech government also expressed great appreciation “for the theological and philosophical works” of Joseph Ratzinger.
The former European Commissioner, Michel Barnier, also recalled the words of Benedict XVI, in a speech in Rome, “on the first day of his pontificate, in which he stressed that “every man is necessary.”
Source: TSF
