Notre Dame professor John Cavadini selected as 2026 Ratzinger Prize recipient

Pope Leo XIV selected University of Notre Dame professor John C. Cavadini to receive the 2026 Ratzinger Prize. The pope personally approved the selection made by the Scientific Committee of the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation.

Cavadini specializes in patristic theology, focusing on the theology of St. Augustine. He served as the director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life from 2000 to 2026. In a statement, Cavadini said the award recognizes his vocation as both a man of the Church and a man of academia.

Pope Leo XIV will present the award to Cavadini at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Dec. 19. The Ratzinger Prize was established by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.