The World Mourns the Passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Liguori Publications joins the world in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday, December 31, 2022. After declaring at the age of five that he wanted to become a cardinal, Ratzinger would go on to be a priest, professor, archbishop, and cardinal, and would hold many other important positions in the Catholic Church before his election to the papacy in 2005.

Though his papacy was short, Benedict was known for his theological writings, and for his defense of traditional Catholic doctrine and values. In his July 3, 2005, Angelus he declared “Dear brothers and sisters, how necessary is at the beginning of this third millennium that the entire Christian community, unanimously and of one accord, proclaim, teach, and witness to the truths of the Catholic faith, doctrine, and morals!”

He also consistently spoke and wrote about the importance of faith, and it being necessary to one’s relationship with God. In an address to clergy in July 2005, Benedict told the priests gathered “In the end, faith is simple and rich: we believe that God exists, that God counts.”

In February 2013, Benedict became the first Pope since 1415 to step down, citing health reasons.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.