April 16, 1927–December 31, 2022

Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) served as Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church from 2005 to 2013.

A brilliant, contemplative theologian, he wrote dozens of books, including the enormously influential Introduction to Christianity, the Jesus of Nazareth trilogy, and the papal encyclicals Deus Caritas Est and Spe Salvi, as well as numerous other scholarly and spiritual works.

One of the more contemporary figures in CLUNY's catalog, Ratzinger/Benedict XVI is indispensable to the mission and vision of our press, and it is one of the highest honors of our craft to publish his work.