The Holiness of Pope Benedict XVI, Theological Genius, by Marie Brousseau

By Marie Brousseau, Catholic Exchange, April 16, 2026

Marie Brousseau is a Canadian teacher and essayist whose life and work are deeply shaped by her Catholic faith. She is married and brings both personal and professional dedication to her vocation as an educator.  …

Author’s Note: This essay is the abridged version of the original article “A holy genius: Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI,” written on Dec 30th, 2025, on the eve of the third anniversary of Pope Benedict’s death, and posted on the author’s website.

Pope Benedict XVI was one of the 20th century’s most respected and renowned theologians and, I would opine, one of history’s greatest minds to grace humanity. Few men have been more involved on a global scale in propagating both faith and reason. I have no doubt that he will not only be canonized but will eventually be declared a Doctor of the Church, in God’s own time, after careful study of his entire personal and public life. I personally regard him as a holy genius, because of both his brilliant mind and his great love for God.

I was born into Catholicism. However, I was a “so-so” Catholic, hardly ever reading religious writings and being lackluster in my prayers. The pope I knew for most of my adult life was John Paul II. I took the papacy pretty much for granted at that period of my life. ….

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