Over 50,000 send messages of gratitude to Benedict XVI

Madrid, Spain, Mar 11, 2013 / 11:08 am

A book containing more than 50,000 messages of gratitude to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has been delivered to the Apostolic Nuncio in Spain, who is expected to send it to the retired Pontiff.

The book was delivered to the nuncio, Archbishop Renzo Fratini, by Ignacio Arsuaga, president of the Spanish civil rights website HazteOir.

In statements to CNA on March 7, Arsuaga said that it "is an honor for us to have collected these signs of affection and gratitude" to the Pope Emeritus. 

He added that he hopes the messages to Benedict XVI may "be a tribute to him and to the transmission of a well-founded school of thought that encourages us to continue working as a civil society in defense of the dignity of the person."

The former Pope, he continued, "has repeatedly emphasized the need for public action by creative minorities able to respond to the present challenges of humanity, especially everything that has to do with the defense and the promotion of life, marriage and religious freedom."

"This is what we strive to do each day, to contribute from civil society to the building of a better society, to the promotion of the common good for all," Arsuaga said.