Luanda – Angola’s Vice-President of Republic Esperança da Costa Wednesday in Luanda paid tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday (31) at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, in Rome, at the age of 95, victim of disease.
In condolence book, displayed at the Apostolic Nunciature, Esperança da Costa praised the qualities of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, describing him as a “humanist and defender of the faith, guardian and man of love”.
The Vice-President recalled the special affection shown by the Pope during his visit to Angola in 2009, during which he encouraged youth to permanently seek the country’s development.
The Vice-President of Republic recalled the appeal made by the priest to the Angolans in he recommended maintaining peace and national reconciliation.
The homage ceremony was attended by governor of Luanda Manuel Homem, who underlined the fact that the Pope Emeritus had been a promoter of dialogue between men, as a means of resolving conflicts.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs wrote Tuesday in the condolence book that Pope Benedict XVI was a good fighter for faith, civilization of love and Christian values.
Joseph Ratzinger, who was Pope between 2005 and 2013, was born in 1927 in Marktl am Inn, in the German diocese of Passau. He became the first German to head the Catholic Church in many centuries and a representative of the most dogmatic line of the Church.
Source: Angola Press News Agency