John Kerry: « I had a great time in Luxembourg »
It was a coincidence that led the word reporter on Saturday afternoon, in the minutes after the funeral service for Pope Francis, of all things in that area not far from the colonnades of St. Peter’s Square, where John Kerry was waiting for an interview with a large American television station. The 81-year-old US Democrat was a candidate for presidential in 2004, served as Foreign Minister under Barack Obama between 2013 and 2017 and was a special envoy for the climate between 2021 and 2024.
An foreign minister (almost) to touch
Kerry has made countless trips as the top politician, but his visit to Luxembourg in July 2016 was different from the usual Handshake appointments all over the world. Because Kerry and the then foreign minister Jean Asselborn share a common hobby: racing cycling. So it happened that Kerry and Asselborn cycled through the Eichtal for a few hours after the official visit. They were accompanied by Tour de France winner Andy Schleck. What made the situation difficult was Kerry’s crisis diplomacy, because the day before an attempt to coup had happened in Turkey.
On the sidelines of the funeral service for Pope Francis, former US Secretary of State John Kerry talks about his visit to Luxembourg and his encounters with the Pope. Photo: private
It is actually not common to get a spontaneous interview with a former US foreign minister. But when the word reporter mentions that he was only in the restaurant a few months ago, in which Kerry, Asselborn and Schleck took off at the time, the Elder Statesman smiles joy: he immediately saw the moment in mind. He had heard that a badge has now been attached: John Kerry was here. This leads to a short exchange about the bike tour at the time, the hopes of the people and Kerry’s view of Pope Francis.
John Kerry, you say you can still remember your bike tour in Luxembourg 2016?
It wasn’t really a bike tour. We had an afternoon to swing on the bicycles. Jean Asselborn is simply a fabulous person – and he is a great cyclist. So he could bring me together with Andy Schleck and we started and had a great time. But we were kept interrupted because the revolution in Turkey was underway, and I had to stop again and again and go on the phone. Yes, it was a big crisis … but you know, it was so nice to cycle with Jean and Andy.
Jean Asselborn told me that it was a good time back then. And that there was a lot of hope in the world.
Well, there is still hope. Take a look at these people (point over to St. Peter’s Square, which is full of people). There is a lot of hope. You want the leaders to lead. They want people to do what they should do. And stop with the nonsense. It is time for us to do that.
How was this ceremony in which you participated for you?
It was a very special ceremony. I had the privilege of working on the climate crisis with the Holy Father. I met him a few times and he was a great leader, a big voice. That is why we will miss him, in addition to all the other reasons why people loved him. He was something very special.
