It would be difficult to exaggerate Pope Benedict XVI's influence on the Catholic Church. He served the people of God as a priest, an advisor at the Second Vatican Council, a bishop, a cardinal, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the 265th pope. Apart from his influence as a priest, Joseph Ratzinger is widely regarded as one of the most influential philosophers in recent history. He has written almost sixty books, several essays, and innumerable homilies. His theological teachings have inspired and challenged Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
It might be tough for many people to know where to begin. The Pope Benedict XVI Reader, with a foreword by Robert Barron, is a good place to start if you want to learn more about Pope Benedict XVI's teachings, whether you've never heard of him or have been a fan for years. The Trinity, the person of Jesus Christ, the Church, Mary and the saints, the Bible, the liturgy, prayer, the Second Vatican Council, and the challenge of living the faith in the modern world are among the topics covered in this wide-ranging collection of excerpts from Ratzinger's interviews, speeches, audiences, homilies, and books. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of a man whose legacy of scholarly erudition, pastoral gentleness, and deep and abiding love for Christ and his Church continues to awe the world.
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