Who is behind the promotion of Benedict XVI’s canonization and his declaration as a Doctor of the Church?
Archbishop Georg Gänswein publicly advocated for the swift opening of the cause for beatification for Pope Benedict XVI. Gänswein expressed his belief that Benedict XVI might eventually be declared a Doctor of the Church. The Archbishop highlighted joy as the central theme in Benedict XVI’s theology, viewing it as the natural outcome of authentic Christian faith. Gänswein called for a re-examination of Benedict XVI's policy on broadening access to the Traditional Latin Mass, intended to reduce internal tensions. The comments serve as an invitation to reconsider the depth and ongoing relevance of Benedict XVI's theological and pastoral legacy.
7 days ago
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict XVI's longtime private secretary and current apostolic nuncio to the Baltic states, has emerged as a key figure advocating for the late pope's beatification and potential declaration as a Doctor of the Church.1 In a recent interview on German Catholic network K-TV aired December 7, 2025, Gänswein expressed personal hope that the beatification process would open soon, framing it as a way to honor Benedict's enduring theological contributions.2 3 He described the effort not as a formal campaign but as an invitation to revisit the depth of Joseph Ratzinger's thinking and its relevance amid current Church debates.1
Gänswein's comments highlight his intimate perspective on Benedict's life, emphasizing the late pope's conviction that authentic faith naturally produces joy.1 He portrayed Ratzinger as a "theologian of joy," arguing that any faith lacking this joy indicates a spiritual imbalance.2 3 This theme underscores Gänswein's view of Benedict's legacy as centered on the transformative power of lived Christian belief.1
Under current Vatican regulations, Benedict XVI's beatification cause cannot formally begin until five years after his death on December 31, 2022, placing the earliest possible start in late 2027.2 3 Gänswein acknowledged this timeline but voiced optimism for its initiation, noting that popes can waive the waiting period, as Benedict himself did for John Paul II.2 3 His appeal aligns with ongoing discussions in Catholic circles about recognizing papal figures promptly to sustain their influence.1
No official process has been announced by Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2025, but Gänswein's public statements revive interest in Benedict's sainthood path.2 3 The archbishop's position as a former insider lends weight to his hopes, potentially influencing Vatican deliberations on the matter.1
Gänswein stressed that joy forms the "heartbeat" of Benedict's theology, linking it to a deeper understanding of God, the Church, and human fulfillment.1 He quoted the late pope's belief that faith, when truly embraced, blossoms into joy, serving as a litmus test for spiritual health.2 3 This perspective positions Benedict as a pastoral thinker whose writings continue to offer clarity in an era of polarization.1
Additionally, Gänswein highlighted Benedict's insistence on fidelity to essentials, urging the Church to be shaped by Christ's teachings without compromise.2 3 These insights, drawn from Gänswein's close collaboration, suggest Benedict's potential as a Doctor of the Church, a title reserved for theologians whose works profoundly enrich doctrine.1
A significant portion of Gänswein's interview addressed Benedict XVI's 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, which liberalized the Traditional Latin Mass to foster liturgical coexistence.1 He advocated revisiting this "prudent approach" to reduce internal tensions, criticizing subsequent restrictions under Pope Francis's 2021 Traditionis Custodes.2 3 Gänswein argued that Benedict's policy aimed at harmony, not division, and should continue without further limitations.1 2 3
Recent events, such as Cardinal Raymond Burke's solemn Traditional Latin Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on October 25, 2025, signal possible openness under Pope Leo XIV.2 3 Gänswein's remarks tie Benedict's liturgical vision to broader questions of Church unity, positioning his canonization as a means to reaffirm these principles.1
Gänswein's intervention comes amid reflections on Benedict's death in 2022 and his ongoing cultural influence.1 By linking beatification to themes of joy and liturgical stability, he invites reevaluation of how Benedict's legacy addresses contemporary challenges like polarization.2 3 While no organized promotion beyond Gänswein's personal appeals is evident, his voice as a key witness could catalyze formal steps toward canonization.1 This unfolding story underscores the Church's effort to integrate Benedict's contributions into its future direction.3
Who promotes Benedict XVI’s canonization and Doctor status?
The process of promoting a candidate for canonization or declaration as a Doctor of the Church in the Catholic tradition is a structured one, governed by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and ultimately approved by the Pope. It typically begins with petitions from the faithful, bishops, religious orders, or dedicated postulators who gather evidence of heroic virtue, miracles, and doctrinal contributions. While the provided sources offer valuable context on how such processes have unfolded historically—particularly through examples involving Pope Benedict XVI's own actions in proclaiming saints and doctors—they do not directly identify specific promoters for Benedict XVI's potential canonization or Doctor status. Below, I outline the general framework from the sources and explain the limitations in addressing this query precisely.
Catholic sources emphasize that promotions for canonization or doctoral status often arise from widespread devotion among the faithful, episcopal conferences, and religious communities, culminating in formal requests to the Holy See. For instance, in the case of St. Hildegard of Bingen, the promotion began with a supplication from the German Episcopal Conference, joined by the nuns of the Eibingen monastery dedicated to her. This led to the preparation of a Positio (a detailed historical and theological dossier) by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, followed by papal approval. Pope Benedict XVI extended her cult universally on May 10, 2012, via equipollent canonization—a recognition of longstanding veneration without a formal beatification process—and proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church on October 7, 2012, alongside St. John of Ávila. The formula used by Benedict XVI highlights the collaborative nature: "We, accepting the desire of many Brothers in the Episcopate and of many faithful throughout the world, after consulting the Congregation for the Causes of Saints... declare [them] Doctors of the Universal Church."
Similarly, for St. Thérèse of Lisieux, promotion came through consultations with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, informed by cardinals like Joseph Ratzinger (later Benedict XVI). Pope John Paul II announced her doctoral status on August 24, 1997, during World Youth Day, and formally proclaimed it on October 19, 1997, again citing the wishes of bishops and the faithful. These examples illustrate that promotions are not the work of a single individual but a collective effort, often initiated by local churches or devoted groups, with the Dicastery providing rigorous scrutiny, including dispensations for ancient figures like Hildegard. Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Dicastery, played a key role in presenting cases, as seen in the plenary session approvals.
Pope Benedict XVI himself contributed to theological discussions on the Church's role in such processes, drawing from his dissertation on St. Augustine's images of the "People of God" and "House of God," which underscore the Church's communal witness to holiness. His writings, as analyzed by scholars like Romanus Cessario, OP, reflect a lifelong emphasis on the Church's mission to proclaim salvation through figures of deep doctrine and sanctity, potentially setting a precedent for how his own legacy might be viewed. However, these sources focus on Benedict XVI as promoter and theologian, not as the promoted.
Applying this to Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger, 1927–2022), who served as Pope from 2005 to 2013, one might infer from the sources that promotion for his canonization would follow similar lines: starting with petitions from the faithful, perhaps led by German or Bavarian bishops given his origins, or international groups inspired by his extensive writings on liturgy, Scripture, and ecumenism. His theological heritage—over 85 books and 500 articles—positions him as a candidate for Doctor status, akin to how Hildegard and Thérèse were elevated for their doctrinal depth. Yet, the sources provided do not name specific promoters for Benedict XVI, such as postulators, conferences, or the current Pope Leo XIV.
The Dicastery's procedures, as described, require evidence of fama sanctitatis (reputation of holiness) and miracles, often prepared in "ponderous Positiones" with historical research. For recent figures like Benedict XVI, this would involve assessing his pontificate's contributions to faith amid modern challenges, echoing his own critiques of anarchy and calls for Eucharistic-centered renewal. Without direct evidence in the sources, however, I cannot confidently identify promoters. The additional context notes the absence of recorded statements from Pope Leo XIV on this matter, suggesting no official advancement has been documented in available data as of December 2025.
In summary, while Catholic tradition shows that canonizations and doctoral declarations are promoted through communal devotion and episcopal initiative, as exemplified by Benedict XVI's proclamations of Hildegard, Ávila, and others, the provided sources do not resolve who specifically advocates for Benedict XVI today. They remain relevant for understanding the process but fall short on this particular query. For the latest developments, consulting official Vatican announcements would be essential, as the Church's discernment continues faithfully.