The world has lost a great spiritual leader with the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Throughout his long life and service to the Catholic Church, Benedict was a scholarly and devoted apostle of Jesus Christ.
The Catholic University of America mourns his death along with the Church and so many other people whose lives he touched. We will remember him for his love of education, dedication to teaching, and deep theological insight, which he shared in person at the University when he visited in 2008. At that time, Benedict gave a historic speech at the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center about the value and importance of Catholic education.
Known previously as Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict was one of the great fathers of Vatican II and sought through his teaching and writings to educate people how to venerate, read, and understand Holy Scripture— and much of his ministry and pontificate were dedicated to that purpose. He will be remembered as the pope who inspired the faithful's deeper understanding of the Holy Eucharist as the “source and summit” of the Catholic faith, prompting the renewal of this most holy sacrament as central to the faith, expressing God's infinite love for every man and woman.
A lifelong educator, Benedict sought to help the faithful rededicate themselves to worship and to stand in awe of God. At the same time, he also wanted the faithful to understand well the primacy of love (charity) in the life of the Christian and how they could share that love of Christ with others.
Benedict made a lasting impression upon those in his presence — and those whose lives he touched through his writing and teaching. He will be remembered as a man of great conviction, who loved his Church, and gave his life to serving it and all of its people.