Ambassador Martin Selmayr had the honour and privilege to meet Pope Francis several times during his life and the Ambassador remained always impressed with his humility, his deep humility, his warm personality but also with his great sense of humour. His unwavering solidarity with migrants and the weakest in society, his firm opposition to the death penalty, his strong commitment to addressing climate change and debt relief, as well as his tireless calling for a just and lasting peace in conflicts and wars around the globe inspired millions, far beyond the catholic Church. 

In 2016, on the initiative of the former President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Junker, the former President of the European Parliament, Martin Schultz and the former President of the European Council Donald Tusk, Pope Francis was awarded the Charlemagne Prize. 

Ambassador Martin Selmayr finds remarkable Pope Francis’ commitment to a more modern church, to interreligious dialogue and to enhancing the role of women in the church. One of his last official acts was the appointment of Sr. Raffaella Petrini to the office of President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State and President of the Governorate. May Pope Francis rest in peace.

EUDEL