Pope Francis receives prestigious Charlemagne Prize

Pope Francis on Wednesday was announced the winner of Germany’s 2016 Charlemagne Prize, which is offered for services to promoting unity in Europe.

“In these times, in which many citizens in Europe seek orientation, His Holiness Pope Francis sends a message of love and encouragement,” the awarding board said in a statement.

It lauded the pope for being a voice of conscience that urged Europe to place people at the centre of its politics.

In a break from tradition, the prize-giving ceremony is to take place in Rome, rather than the German city of Aachen, where the Charlemagne Prize Society is based.

The board did not give a date for the ceremony.

Previously winners of the prize include European Parliament President, Martin Schulz, EU President, Donald Tusk and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.