WITH THE Pope’s agreement and funding the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation has been established to promote theological studies on his writings and to reward promising scholars.
Mgr Giuseppe Antonio Scotti, president of the foundation, said it was established with just over £2 million from the Pope. The money represents part of the royalties from the publication of his books and the rest of his royalty income goes to charity, Mgr Scotti told reporters.
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, retired papal vicar of Rome and president of the new foundation’s scientific committee, said he hoped that someday there would be “Ratzinger Prizes” in sacred Scripture, patristics and fundamental theology.