After the Vatican announced Benedict XVI’s passing, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said in a tweet: “Pope Benedict XVI has departed to the House of the Father. Today, the world has lost one of the pre-eminent theologians of the 20th and 21st centuries, a close associate of Saint John Paul II.”
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The head of state added: “His life, works and priestly service are a signpost among the many winding and deceptive roads of the contemporary world. R.I.P.”
Later on Saturday, Duda’s top foreign-policy aide Jakub Kumoch told the state news agency PAP: “President Anrzej Duda plans to attend the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whom he regards as a prominent moral authority and one of the outstanding Churchmen of our time.”
The Vatican said earlier that Benedict XVI’s funeral would be presided over by Pope Francis and take place in St Peter’s Square on Thursday, January 5.
‘Benedict XVI’s legacy will remain important forever’: PM
Meanwhile, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki paid tribute to the deceased Pope Emeritus in a Facebook post.
The PM noted that Benedict XVI “worked closely with John Paul II.”
“Maybe this was why his attitude towards our country was special,” the PM added.
Morawiecki also noted that Benedict XVI had made a papal visit to Poland in 2006, “during which he captured our hearts.”
The PM concluded: “Today the world has suffered a big loss, but the spiritual and intellectual legacy of Benedict XVI will remain important to us forever. May he rest in peace.”
(pm)
Source: PAP, onet.pl