Pope Benedict paid tribute to the late Italian statesman Alcide de Gasperi, saying he was capable of transforming his faith into concrete deeds and that spirituality and politics were two dimensions of his life that characterised his social actions. The popes remarks came in an address to the Council of the De Gasperi Foundation. He said that whilst De Gasperi was obedient to the church he was independent and showed responsibility in his political choices. He also didnt use the church for political ends and never stooped to make compromises with his upright conscience. Pope Benedict recalled how during his time as a politician De Gasperi experienced