Events across four continents will explore the life and theological legacy of the late Pope Benedict XVI ahead of the centenary of his birth, April 16, 2027.
Father Roberto Regoli, president of the Vatican’s Ratzinger Foundation, which launched the events, said foundation’s Centenary Committee aims to present more fully the depth of Joseph Ratzinger’s intellectual legacy through the events, which will take place in Austria, Kenya, India, France, and the U.S., according to Vatican News.
“The centenary of Ratzinger's birth,” Fr. Regoli said, according to the outlet, “is an opportunity to fully present his thought and his approach to reality, as significant contributions to the current ecclesial and cultural debate.”
The celebration began April 16 at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See in Rome with the presentation of the fourth volume of the "Selected Texts" of Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI, titled The Faith of the Future.
Additional events will include a conference on the legacy of the pontiff, as well as a bishops-theologians colloquium reflecting on his theological journey, Vatican News reported.
A U.S.-based event is scheduled for Nov. 3 at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where a volume of his collected works, Jesus of Nazareth, will be presented.
The initiatives will conclude in December at the Vatican for the 2026 Ratzinger Prize Award Ceremony.