Obama rings up Mandela's widow

US President Barack Obama has called up Nelson Mandela's widow Graca Machel to express condolences of the First family and the American people on passing away of the legendary anti-apartheid icon, the White House said.
"The President thanked Mrs Machel for the profound influence that Nelson Mandela has had on him, and underscored the power of President Mandela's example for the people of South Africa and the entire world," the White House said in a statement.
In a call made yesterday, Obama expressed gratitude and thanks for the joy that Graca Machel brought to Nelson Mandela's life, and the commitment to a peaceful, fair, and loving world that she and Mandela shared, the statement said.

Later in the evening lighting a Christmas tree, Obama expressed special measure of gratitude for Mandela, whose death has thrown the world into collective mourning.
"This year, we give a special measure of gratitude for Nelson Mandela, a man who championed that generosity of spirit," Obama said.
"In his life, he blessed us with tremendous grace and unbelievable courage. And we are all privileged to live in a world touched by his goodness," Obama said.