Merz stays away: No saying goodbye to Pope Francis in Rome!

Merz stays away: No saying goodbye to Pope Francis in Rome!

Rom, Italien - On April 23, 2025, Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, causes grief and sympathy worldwide. The burial ceremony will take place next Saturday at 10 a.m. on St. Peter's Square in Rome. A large number of heads of state and government will be present, including US President Donald Trump. rp online that Friedrich Merz (CDU) is not traveling to Rome, although he is in consultation with federal president Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz made this decision.

The death of Pope Francis has triggered a wave of grief not only in the Catholic community, but also all over the world. UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres praised him as "offered hope, humility and humanity" and emphasized his commitment to climate protection and social justice. EU Council President Antonio Costa also emphasized the commitment of Francis for global challenges such as migration and peace. Vatican News adds that various politicians worldwide, including the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, described him as inspiration for millions of people.

The reactions to the death of the Pope reflect the appreciation for his work. The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Francis as a advocate of the weak, while Italy's President Sergio Mattarella spoke of a "big gap". The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also described him as a "big shepherd". International leader, including the British Prime Minister Keir Strander and French President Emmanuel Macron, also expressed their grief.

global reactions

The reactions to the death of Pope Francis came from all over the world. The Greek Prime Minister Kyriako's Mitsotakis paid tribute to his legacy of humanism and empathy. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and Israel's President Isaac Herzog spoke of his support for their respective states and his commitment to interreligious dialogue and peace. Other heads of state such as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Dalai Lama also followed the condolences, with Modi Franziskus described as a beacon of compassion and the Dalai Lama spoke Buddhist prayers for him.

Overall, the loss of Pope Francis shows how much his life's work and his message of a fair and compassionate world were valued far beyond the borders of the Catholic Church. This becomes clear by the numerous international reactions, which his legacy appreciate as an imperishable source of compassion and inspiration.