World salutes Pope’s leadership

GERMANY: World political and religious leaders praised Pope Benedict XVI for bolstering inter-religious ties and showing leadership to the world's 1.1 billion Catholics, hailing him as one of today's “most significant religious thinkers”. Plaudits and messages of respect poured in from around the globe following the shock announcement that the 85-year-old pontiff would step down this month due to old age, though victims of the church's abuse scandal welcomed the move from a man they said had done little to help them. “He is and remains one of the most significant religious thinkers of our time,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a pastor's daughter, said in a glowing tribute in the pope's native Germany.

US President Barack Obama offered appreciation and prayers on behalf of all Americans to Benedict, saying he and his wife Michelle warmly remembered meeting him in 2009.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has “always had great respect for the pope and his work on interfaith dialogue and other global challenges,” United Nations spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Benedict would be “missed as a spiritual leader to millions” who had “worked tirelessly to strengthen Britain's relations with the Holy See”.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano saluted the pontiff's “courage” over his decision, making him the first pontiff in more than six centuries to step down after nearly eight years as pope.

A spokesman for Philippines President Benigno Aquino highlighted the sympathy the pontiff expressed for Filipinos when the country was hit by deadly storms and other disasters.

And Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard praised the pope's decision for its “humility”. From other world religions, Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger told AFP that Benedict had improved ties between Judaism and Christianity which helped reduce anti-Semitism around the world.

AFP