Harare (New Ziana) –Acting President General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga on Thursday signed a book of condolence at the Vatican embassy in the capital for former Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died on December 31 last year aged 95 years.

Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger of German parents, Pope Benedict passed away almost a decade after he stood down in 2013 because of failing health, becoming the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

He spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican where he passed away.

Speaking after signing the book of condolences, Acting President Chiwenga said while it was sad that Pope Benedict had died, the church and humanity should celebrate his long life.

He said Pope Bennedict would be remembered for his humility, commitment to the alleviation of the suffering of the disadvantaged, and for the advancement of peace.

“Pope Benedict was known mainly for his two cardinal principles, peace and the love for humanity and so we are motivated by that and I think the rest of what he has done from when he went into priesthood in Germany, his missionary work right up to when he ended up in Rome at the Vatican and eventually becoming the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, is well documented and we thank God that he has been given that life up to the age of 95. So it is a long life and we celebrate it,” he said.

The Vatican’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Paolo Rudelli thanked the Acting President for extending his condolences to the Catholic Church.

He said Pope Benedict leaves behind a rich legacy, which ought to be celebrated.

“I think the teachings of Pope Benedict are important not only for Catholics but Christians in general and for every people of good-will because he spoke many times of the role in general of reason and religion in this world. We are in a world where there should be an alliance between human reason and openness to God,” he said.

Pope Benedict reigned for almost eight years and resigned in 2013 due to ill health, becoming the first pontiff to do so in centuries.

Since his death, about 200 000 people have paid their respects over the three days that his body has been lying in state at the St. Peter’s Basilica where he will be buried on Thursday.

New Ziana