In 2016, Pope Francis will be awarded the International Charlemagne Prize (Internationale Karlspreis), a prestigious award conferred in Germany to people who have stood out for their service in support of European integration. The news was given from Aachen today by the award committee. The award, which takes its name from Charlemagne, the emperor considered by contemporaries “the father of Europe”, will not be given to the Pontiff in Aachen but in Rome, on a date that has not been decided yet. The reasons also state that it has been given to Francis for “the messages of hope and encouragement to peace and cohabitation” that he sends to Europe and to the world. The Karlpreis – a certificate, a medal with the picture of Charlemagne on the throne, and a symbolic sum of 5 thousand euros – has been given since 1950. In 2004, it was won by John Paul II. The winner of the 2015 award was Martin Schulz.