Angela Merkel receives Caritas Elisabeth Award in renovated Augsburg town hall
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a ceremony in Augsburg’s newly restored Golden Hall to accept the Caritas Elisabeth prize, honoring her personal moral compass.
After years of renovation that addressed asbestos, fire-safety, and structural issues, Augsburg’s historic Golden Hall welcomed guests again for a special event. Angela Merkel entered the Renaissance-style hall, looked up at its ornate ceiling, and received the Caritas Elisabeth award, which includes a certificate and a figure of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia. The Caritas association framed the honor as recognition of Merkel’s “inner compass” and her long-standing responsibility as a leader.
Eva Welskop-Deffaa, president of the Deutscher Caritasverband, praised Merkel’s scientific background, East-German upbringing, and Christian faith, noting her rationality, love of freedom and justice, and closeness to people. Diakon Markus Müller added that the award celebrates a stance that builds bridges rather than walls amid widening social divides. In her remarks, Merkel said she always tried to tolerate differences, thanked the award’s presenter Sarah Bosetti for highlighting the challenge, and lauded Caritas’s short films that showcase stories of resilience across various social groups.
Why it matters
The ceremony underscores Germany’s focus on social cohesion and the role of former leaders in promoting unity.
In this story
