January 1, 2023
Condolence Message on the Passing of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
On January 1, 2023, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda sent a condolence message on the passing of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95.
The Pope Emeritus was Archbishop of Munich, Germany, before being elected as the 265th Pope during the 2005 papal conclave. He served as head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2005 until his resignation in 2013, when he took the title Pope Emeritus.
In his message, Mr. Ikeda praised the
achievements of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who stood as a symbol
of solidarity and peace and continued to inspire people throughout the world
during these challenging times.
[Adapted from an article in the January 5, 2023, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]
