Georg Streiter, the former deputy government spokesperson under Chancellor Angela Merkel, has died at the age of 68 after a battle with lung cancer.

Streiter, known for his memorable headline "We are Pope!" following the election of Joseph Ratzinger as Pope, served from September 2011 to March 2018. Initially appointed under the Union-FDP coalition, he continued his role in the subsequent grand coalition.

Streiter's career spanned various media outlets, including the "Bild" newspaper, where he was a prominent figure.

His passing was announced by Wolfgang Büchner, the current deputy government spokesperson, who praised Streiter as a respected and upright colleague.

Streiter's battle with cancer was public, and he had candidly discussed his illness and its impact on his life.