Charlemagne

French President Emmanuel Macron received the prestigious German Charlemagne Award for "his strong vision for a new Europe and the rediscovery of the European project," the France press reported, referring to the Aachen City Hall.

Joyeuse is the name tradition attributed to Charlemagne’s personal sword. Some legends claim Joyeuse was forged using shards of the holy Lance of Longinus, the spear that was stabbed into Jesus’ side as he hung dead on the cross. Others say the blade was smithed from the same materials as Roland’s “Durendal” and Ogier’s “Curtana”.

Pope Francis has been named the winner of the International Charlemagne Prize, awarded annually by the German city of Aachen for contributions to European unity.

The prize committee said Dec. 23 that the pontiff had sent "a message of hope and encouragement" at a time in which "many citizens in Europe are seeking orientation," news agency Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA) reported.

Sir Christopher Lee, the screen legend famous for his roles in Count Dracula, Saruman in Lord of the Rings and Star Wars died in hospital at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday at the age of 93. The death certificate confirms that he passed away at Chelsea and Westminster hospital after suffering from respiratory problems.