Christendom College mourns the passing of Pope Benedict XVI, who passed away peacefully on December 31, 2022. A great shepherd of the Catholic Faith whose theological writings have inspired millions across the globe, Pope Benedict XVI was 95.
“Pope Benedict was a man of deep compassion who gave his entire life in generous service to Christ and His Holy Catholic Church,” says College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell. “His brilliance as a theologian and his writings will continue to inspire generations. Cathy and I were blessed to have met him on numerous occasions. He had a real affection for Christendom and always was gracious and welcoming as Cardinal and Pope.”
Born in 1927 as Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI was ordained a priest in his native Bavaria in 1951. He quickly gained renown for his theological writings and lectures, serving as a professor at several German universities before being appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising and created a cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by Pope St. John Paul II — a position he would hold until 2005, when he was elected as his successor as pope.
Pope Benedict XVI was one of Pope St. John Paul II’s closest confidants.
As the head of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized giving solutions to the modern problems of discerning and living the Catholic Faith, focusing often on the themes of forming a “friendship with Jesus Christ,” on combatting the “dictatorship of relativism,” and more. He wrote four encyclicals, focusing on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, and continued his prolific theological writings as well, including his popular Jesus of Nazareth series.
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world when he announced he would be retiring as the Roman Pontiff, stating that he no longer had the mental and physical strength to cope with the demands of the position. He took up the title of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI thereafter, continuing to write and publish theological works in his later years.
Christendom College was blessed to have strong ties to the Holy Father, even prior to his election as pope. Here he is with College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell and his wife, Cathy.
Christendom College was blessed to have strong ties to the Holy Father, even prior to his election as pope. He always welcomed Christendom pilgrims to the Holy Office and his early morning Mass, taking time to greet everyone personally. In 2002, Pope Benedict XVI, then-Cardinal Ratzinger, served as the Chairman of Christendom College’s 25th Anniversary Honorary Dinner Committee, showing his support for the education that Christendom College provides its students.
College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell was blessed to meet with Pope Benedict XVI on numerous occasions. Here, he presented Pope Benedict XVI with a spiritual bouquet from Christendom College in St. Peter’s Square.
“I am well aware of the distinguished record of Christendom College and of the outstanding contribution which it has made to Catholic life in the United States. For this reason, I am particularly honored to associate myself with such a fine Catholic institution of higher learning and my prayers are that Christendom College will enjoy many more years of service in the education and formation of young people,” he wrote in a letter to College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell.
Pope Benedict XVI also blessed the cornerstone for the college’s new Christ the King Chapel.
Pope Benedict XVI also blessed the cornerstone for the college’s new Christ the King Chapel, which is nearing completion this coming spring.
His legacy of defending traditional Catholic doctrine and values, both through his countless theological works, his homilies, and, most of all, through his living example, will continue to inspire generations to come. Pope Benedict XVI will be sorely missed by the entire Christendom community.
May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.