Rest in Peace Pope Benedict XVI

by CAPP-USA

Marriage is instituted by God as the foundation of the family, which is the foundation of society

We join the universal Church in mourning the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Reigning from 2005-2013, Pope Benedict XVI gave of his many gifts—as a theologian, a scholar, and a man of faith—in service of the Church. His pontificate was not an easy one, confronted by many challenges with many issues needing to be addressed.

Throughout, Pope Benedict continued to provide an example of equanimity, of service and of boundless faith in Jesus Christ. His final act as pope was his remarkable resignation from the Papacy in 2013–setting a further example of humility and sense of selflessness for the Church.

We would like to particularly highlight that Pope Benedict’s election also marked a transition point in the life of CAPP. He was the first Pope to follow our sainted founder, Pope John Paul II.

Pope Benedict’s writings on Catholic Social Teaching, found prominently in Caritas in Veritate and Deus Caritas Est, among other documents, provide us with unique and new examples of how the faithful must address the challenges of modern society.

The concepts of intergenerational solidarity, the prevention of environmental degradation, and further promotion of the bonds of human solidarity were all promoted in the late Pontiff’s extraordinarily insightful writings and speeches. His fidelity to the vision for CAPP set forth by his predecessor was a great gift to us all.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May perpetual light shine upon him. May he Rest in Peace.

Saints of God, pray for him!

We invite you to read some of Pope Benedict’s writings: Caritas in Veritate and Deus Caritas Est.

Over the coming year, CAPP will release articles with Pope Benedict XVI’s profound insights on the pressing issues of our age.

Back to Articles

Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.

Three Key Principles

Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles - Human Dignity, Solidarity and Subsidiarity. Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.

Human Dignity

This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person’s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God’s image.

Solidarity

Solidarity is not “a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38) Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.

Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity “is a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies”. (Pope Pius XI)

Sign Up For Our Newsletter:

Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, Inc (CAPP-USA) is the United States affiliate of Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice at the Vatican. | Sitemap

[email protected]