Statement by Ambassador Donnelly on Occasion of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s Death
“Jill and I join Pope Francis and all the Catholic faithful around the world in mourning the loss of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict ascended the papacy with great courage and conviction as the world mourned the death of Pope Saint John Paul II. In his first address from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, he set the tone for a papacy by labeling himself as a “simple, humble laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.”
He chose the name Benedict in homage to Pope Benedict XV whom he described as a “courageous prophet for peace.” Pope Benedict would lead the Church for seven years with the same humility and courage he spoke of in the earliest days of his Pontificate.
We deeply mourn the loss of Pope Benedict and will continue to honor his legacy,” said Ambassador Donnelly.
