Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI received the recipients of the 2020 and 2021 Ratzinger Prizes in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery where he resides, on the afternoon of November 13.
A little earlier, Pope Francis had addressed a vibrant tribute to his predecessor during the presentation of the Ratzinger Prizes in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican.
The Pope Emeritus was visited by the winners: the philosopher Jean-Luc Marion and the Austalian theologian Tracey Rowland, laureates of the Ratzinger Prize 2020; as well as the Germans, philosopher Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz and theologian Ludger Schwienhorst-Schönberger, the two recognized this year for their work .
They were accompanied by Father Federico Lombardi, president of the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Foundation. The personal secretary of the Pope Emeritus, Bishop Georg Gänswein, was also present.
A 'Nobel in theology'
The foundation is a charitable organization that promotes "theology in the spirit of Joseph Ratzinger." The prize is a sort of 'Nobel Prize in Theology' (as Camillo Ruini called it) in recognition of those who perform scholarly research relating to or expounding upon Ratzinger's work.
"It was a very lively meeting, lasting a full hour […] during which each of the academics was able to present their work to Benedict XVI and converse with him," details the foundation's press release. “The audience ended with the recitation of the Ave Maria and a blessing given by the Pope Emeritus, who presented each of them with a medal and a rosary."
At 94, the Pope Emeritus looks well. In the photos posted via the foundation's Facebook page, he can be seen smiling, sitting in an armchair and surrounded by his guests.
Pope Francis' tribute
In presenting the prizes, Pope Francis paid a beautiful tribute to his predecessor:
