The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, has expressed his sorrow over the death of Pope Benedict XVI, whom he called his “spiritual brother,” saying that the former leader of the Catholic Church had lived a “meaningful life.”
In a letter written to Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, January 2nd, the Dalai Lama, the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism wrote: “I pray for our spiritual brother and offer my condolences to the members of the Catholic Church.”
“When I had the opportunity to meet Pope Benedict, I found there was much we agreed about in relation to human values, religious harmony and the environment,” he wrote. “During his papacy, he worked hard to promote these issues. He lived a meaningful life.”
The Tibetan leader, in the letter, said that much can be learned from the life of Pope Benedict XVI, whom he said had contributed to religious harmony and global peace.
“I have been engaged in dialogue with members of the Catholic community for several decades and have learned much about their experience,” he wrote, adding: “I believe these exchanges have contributed to a better religious understanding between us.”
“At a time when we are seeing tension in several parts of the world, we can take a lesson from the life of Pope Benedict and do what we can to contribute to religious harmony and global peace,” the Dalai Lama concluded.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who passed away at the age of 95 on Saturday, December 31st, was the first pontiff in nearly six centuries to resign rather than hold office for life due to his advanced age and ailing health. The German pontiff was elected in April 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II.
The body of the former Pope has been moved to St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis is expected to lead the funeral on Thursday, January 5th.
