Joseph Ratzinger was a scholarly pope, considered one of the greatest theologians in the Church's modern history. His line of thinking was shaped from a lifetime dedicated to the study of Theology: a path that has enlightened many minds and guided many hearts toward faith.
MSGR. GIUSEPPE SCOTTI
Former president, Joseph Ratzinger Foundation
“While reading his Opera Omnia, his texts, you can see that he's a professor that writes like a professor. He approaches his students with very advanced language, as professors do. After, the depth of his teachings remains, but the language is completely accessible. And he reaches his peak during his Pontificate.”
His prolific career as a theologian started in the 1950s. His first teaching job was at the University of Bonn, Germany, in 1959. He impacted many of his students. For 30 years, they met with him, even as he became pope.
MSGR. GIUSEPPE SCOTTI
Former president, Joseph Ratzinger Foundation
“He's a professor that engaged his students. He was so appealing to the point that they developed great affection for him, they used his same methods, and therefore, were fascinated by him. And he was fascinated by them in return.”
One of the most important scholarly legacies Benedict XVI leaves behind is the faith-reason dialogue. He preached by example, even debating with intellectuals with stark contrasts in opinion like Jürgen Habermas. For the pope emeritus, faith and reason must be united.
BENEDICT XVI
“Faith and reason need and compliment each other, not only for an intellectual understanding, but also to feed true hopes to humanity.”
His theological literary work is very vast. He has almost 600 publications, among which, his three volumes on Jesus of Nazareth stand out. They are best-sellers that frame the historical figure of Christ.
MSGR. GIUSEPPE SCOTTI
Former president, Joseph Ratzinger Foundation
“He says, the faith that I explain to you, the Jesus of whom I speak, Jesus crucified, dead, buried and resurrected is a Jesus you can find in History.”
In nearly eight years of his pontificate, Benedict XVI wrote three encyclicals about love, hope and charity; four apostolic exhortations and countless documents that have enriched the Magisterium of the Church. Also, his catecheses about the Fathers of the Church, women, the lives of the saints and prayer are notable. They are the valuable legacy of one of the most renowned intellectuals of recent times.
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