Pope Francis praises Benedict's 'hermeneutic of reform' (Vatican News)

Pope Francis praised his predecessor Benedict XVI for his theological contributions, as he met with the winners of the 2022 Ratzinger Prize for excellence in theology.

Pope Francis said that Benedict, along with Pope John Paul II, helped to realize the vision of Vatican II. In particular, he said, the German Pontiff “helped us to read the conciliar documents in-depth, proposing a “hermeneutic of reform and continuity.”

This year’s Ratzinger Prize winners are Father Michel Fédou, a Jesuit expert on the Church Fathers; and Joseph Halevi Horowitz Weiler, the first Jewish recipient of the international award.