For Germany, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and the then Chancellor Olaf Scholz have sent a letter of condolence, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier led the German delegation at the funeral service.
Klöckner, in her letter, paid tribute to Pope Francis as “extraordinary spiritual leader.” Even at the beginning of his pontificate, it turned out that this pope would be different: “Francis wanted to be close to the people, spoke in simple words and refrained from excessive pomp.” He was a pontiff who “took the Church back to earth, as it were, a spiritual leader who lived earthing and humanity.”
In her letter, the President of the Bundestag highlighted other aspects of the pontificate: the interfaith dialogue and its role in the rapprochement between the USA and Cuba. “He built bridges of reconciliation where there were previously rifts of suspicion, and was thus actually a global bridge builder, as we were rarely allowed to experience it,” Klöckner said.
Federal Chancellor: Strength, confidence and inspiration
Scholz emphasized the “tireless commitment to faith and its calls for humanity and brotherhood.” In doing so, he gave people worldwide strength, confidence and inspiration.
The Federal President's letter of condolence is missing from the collection. Steinmeier, in his letter to Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re Francis published by the Federal Presidential Office, had praised Francis as a credible witness to the Christian message: "With Francis, the world is losing a shining sign of hope, a credible advocate of humanity and a convincing Christian. His modesty, spontaneity and humor, but above all his perceptibly deep faith have touched people all over the world – and given support, strength and orientation.”
The special edition collects, in addition to condolences, all official documents related to the Sedisvacancy, including the official determination of the death of the Pope by Cardinal Joseph Farrell, the Camerlengo, the Pope's will, and the biographical document that Francis was added to the tomb, the Rogitum.
Currently, 184 countries maintain diplomatic relations with the Holy See, 93 diplomatic missions are accredited. These include the European Union and the Sovereign Order of Malta.
In addition to the letters of condolence of the representatives of states, the declarations of condolences from other churches and religious communities as well as from international organizations are also printed in the Official Journal.