STEUVENVILLE, OHIO—Over 350 scholars and students gathered at Franciscan University of Steubenville from October 20-21 for the Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation Annual Conference. Never had the annual conference been held in the United States, nor had it been focused exclusively on Benedict’s thought.

Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation President Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, surprised attendees when he opened the conference by reading a letter Benedict had written to Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University.

In addition to expressing joy and gratitude for the conference, Benedict attracted immediate worldwide attention with his three-page letter reflecting on the Second Vatican Council as both “meaningful” and “necessary.”

Encouraged by his message, conference participants focused first on Benedict’s understanding of the Church as a unifying principle for his entire theological vision, and then went on to discuss how to apply his insights to the challenges facing the Church today.

“Benedict’s own theological work is at once faithful, creative, and intellectually deep,” said conference organizer Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, Franciscan University dean of the School of Theology and Philosophy and professor of theology. “We had many wonderful presentations that followed this example and placed Benedict’s theology in the service of the challenges that the Church faces today.”

The conference concluded with a sacred music concert by participants in Franciscan’s Sacred Music Program entitled “Gaude, Ecclesia! Celebrating the Church: Militant, Suffering, and Triumphant.” The concert reflected on selected writings of the pope emeritus through musical works by Monteverdi, Handel, Mozart, and others, with a special emphasis on Mozart, Benedict’s favorite composer.

All plenary talks and responses from the following conference presenters are available for online viewing: His Eminence Kurt Cardinal Koch, president, Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity; Rev. Achim Buckenmaier, Teologia del popolo di Dio; Dr. Tracey Rowland, professor, University of Notre Dame, Sydney; Dr. Christian Schaller, professor, Institut Papst Benedikt XVI; Dr. Michael Root, professor, Catholic University of America; Dr. Christian Washburn, professor, University of St. Thomas; Dr. Michael Waldstein, professor, Franciscan University of Steubenville; Dr. William Wright, IV, professor, Duquesne University; and Most Reverend Stefan Oster, SDB, Bishop of Passau, Germany.

Conference sponsor The Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation was founded in 2010 to promote the printing, dissemination, and study of texts written by Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI. The foundation pursues scientific and cultural research to foster the study of theology with a focus on Holy Scripture, patristics, and sacred arts. The aims of the foundation also include awarding scholarships, organizing cultural and scientific conferences, and rewarding scholars who have stood out for their publications, scientific research, or artistic achievements.

Read Father Pivonka’s reflection on the significance of Benedict’s letter here.

Videos of presentations given at the conference may be viewed here.