The Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, has mourned the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, «a mourning for Italy», and has claimed the «gentleness» and «wisdom» of the deceased, which he considers influential for the entire international community.
Benedict XVI abdicated as pope in 2013, but Matarella has stressed in a statement that, in the years that followed, «he continued to serve the cause of his Church» with «humility and serenity.»
«Intellectual and theologian, he interpreted with finesse the reasons for dialogue, for peace, for the dignity of the person, as supreme interests of religions. With gratitude, we look to his testimony and his example,» the Italian head of state added.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
