STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville mourns the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 95, who died on December 31. The University community prays for the repose of his soul, offering heartfelt tributes to the beloved former pope and deeply respected theologian.

Having served the Church as a professor, theologian, prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger was elected to the papacy in April 2005 and took the name Benedict XVI. At the age of 85, he announced his resignation from the papacy on February 11, 2013, the first pope to do so in 600 years. His unexpected retirement prompted an outpouring of tributes from Franciscan University.

Serving as pope emeritus for the past 10 years, he remained active as one of the leading theologians of our time.

Worldwide attention was given to Pope Emeritus Benedict’s fascinating, nearly four-page letter to Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, on October 7, in which he affirmed the Second Vatican Council as “meaningful” and “necessary.” The letter was sent on the occasion of the Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation Annual Conference, held at Franciscan University of Steubenville October 20-21, 2022.

“I am particularly moved by Benedict’s love of Jesus and his desire to make him known,” said Father Pivonka. “Benedict offered his life to the service of Jesus and his Church, and the community of Franciscan University is eternally grateful.”

“On a personal level, I’m grateful for the letter Benedict wrote to me on the gift of the Second Vatican Council, which may be among the last letters he wrote,” Father Pivonka added.

Dr. Scott Hahn, professor of biblical theology at Franciscan University and author of the book, Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI, recalled with gratitude Benedict’s profound impact as a Catholic biblical theologian and “a modern master of mystagogy—biblical-theological catechesis about the sacraments as sacred mysteries.”

“From his first moments as pope, Benedict XVI established biblical renewal as a key theme of his pontificate,” said Hahn. “In hindsight, it’s clear that no pope in over a millennium could match Benedict’s knowledge of Scripture and theology. … just as ‘The Theology of the Body’ represents the theological legacy of Pope St. John Paul II; so Pope Benedict’s ‘Biblical Theology of Christ’ will be an essential part of Benedict’s lasting legacy for future generations.”

“When he resigned the office of Peter in 2013, I was among those who deeply grieved at the silencing of his voice,” Hahn added. “Today, my mourning goes deeper still.”

Dr. Regis Martin, professor of theology at Franciscan University, offered these thoughts on the legacy of Pope Benedict: “In thinking about the late pope, the impact of whose life and work has been immense and far-reaching, two striking features come to mind that characterize this extraordinary figure. One, an utter fearlessness in defending the faith that has come to us from the Apostles. And second, a complete, childlike docility in submitting his entire life to the Gospel that God himself had come among us to reveal.”

“Pope Benedict XVI will be sorely missed,” said Dr. Michael Sirilla, professor of theology at Franciscan University. “Having studied his work for many years, it is clear to me that the singular purpose of his life’s work—as a theologian, pastor, and pope—was to bring as many people as possible into a personal and saving encounter with Jesus Christ through faith.”

Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, professor of theology at Franciscan University, said, “What a gift the life of Benedict has been for the Church! The deepest and sharpest of theological minds, faithful and prudent as a pastor, a gentle soul sensitive to beauty, especially in music and in liturgy. We thank God for his life and pray for his eternal rest. May God reward this good and faithful servant!”

The Vatican announced that Benedict’s funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, January 5, 2023, in St. Peter’s Square. According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the funeral will be presided over by Pope Francis and “will be carried out under the sign of simplicity.”

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. And may all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.

Please see below full text of tributes to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and his impact on Franciscan University.

Dr. Regis Martin, professor of theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville:

In thinking about the late Pope, the impact of whose life and work has been immense and far-reaching, two striking features come to mind which characterize this extraordinary figure. One, an utter fearlessness in defending the faith that has come to us from the Apostles. From the very beginning, Joseph Ratzinger was never hesitant about identifying what it is we believe as Catholics, nor the least bit afraid to announce it before the world. Even as the times grew ever more hostile and indifferent to its expression, he stood tall and serene in reminding the world of its imperishable importance. And, second, a complete, childlike docility in submitting his entire life to the Gospel that God himself had come among us to reveal. 

His whole life, in other words, including especially the period of his papacy, was marked by a resolute courage and conviction concerning all that was distinctively, irreducibly even, Catholic. And while I knew him only from a distance, my life has been so completely immersed in his writings that, more than any other theologian of the modern period, his influence has remained the most formative. Indeed, from the very first moment when, as a young graduate student, I stumbled upon Introduction to Christianity, a book so beguiling that on the strength of its argument he became a bishop, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. His own life, and the legacy it represents for those of us captivated by the study of theology, has been an unrequitable gift.

Dr. Michael Sirilla, professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville:

Pope Benedict XVI will be sorely missed. Having studied his work for many years, it is clear to me that the singular purpose of his life’s work – as a theologian, pastor, and pope – was to bring as many people as possible into a personal and saving encounter with Jesus Christ through faith.  Everything he wrote, said, and did was consciously and lovingly ordered to this end. Read anything he’s written, and you will see this. 

He consistently fostered a personal encounter with Christ through the prayerful and theological reflections on Scripture that animate all of his writings. Biblical passages were always his point of entry into the depths of God’s love for us in Christ in his writings as a theologian, as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and as Pope. He issued the most important Magisterial document on Scripture since Vatican II’s “Dei Verbum,” in his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, “Verbum Domini” and his Jesus of Nazareth trilogy is without compare in contemporary Christian literature.

His Apostolic Letter, “Summorum Pontificum,” yielded fantastic fruits of renewal in the liturgy.  By liberalizing access to the traditional Latin Mass, he catalyzed a great reform – not only of the Mass but also of the formation of an entire generation of seminarians, many of whom are now priests and some of whom are bishops. 

His papal motto was simple and its import too easy to miss: Cooperatores veritatis (“Cooperators of the truth”). He drew this phrase from 3 John 1:8, “that we may be fellow workers in the truth,” the truth being Jesus Christ Himself, Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).  It was to Him that Pope Benedict devoted his life and ministry, and it is to Him that we commend him now in filial charity.

Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville:

What a gift the life of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI has been for the Church! The deepest and sharpest of theological minds, faithful and prudent as a pastor, a gentle soul sensitive to beauty especially in music and in liturgy. His service to the Church as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and as Pope was just what the Church needed to navigate the turmoil of modern times and to implement faithfully the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. We thank God for his life and pray for his rest—may God reward this good and faithful servant!