Cardinal Parolin has appointed a historian and specialist in papal diplomacy, Fr. Roberto Regoli, president of the foundation that awards the Ratzinger Prize.Lenten campaign 2026
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Italian priest Father Roberto Regoli, professor of contemporary history at the Pontifical Gregorian University, has been appointed as the new president of the Vatican's Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Foundation, according to an announcement by the organization on January 27, 2026. He succeeds Father Federico Lombardi, who held the position for 10 years.
The Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Foundation, which preserves the theological and academic legacy of the German pontiff, will have new leadership, now a few months after the end of the five-year term that began in 2020. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, appointed Father Roberto Regoli to succeed Father Federico Lombardi as the new president of the board of directors.
Father Roberto Regoli is a historian and specialist in the papacy and pontifical diplomacy in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. He is the author of numerous works on the Napoleonic period in particular. Father Lombardi, the former director of Vatican Radio and the Holy See Press Office, was appointed to this position by Pope Francis to carry on the legacy of his German predecessor, and is retiring at the age of 83.
In a statement, Father Regoli paid tribute to Father Lombardi, hailing him as “the public and serene face of the Foundation, who for 10 years has guided the institution's initiatives with prudence and confidence.” He promised that the Piedmontese Jesuit would remain “a point of reference” and wished him “to reap abundantly what he has sown.”
Renewal of members
In addition to Father Regoli, Cardinal Parolin has appointed a new board of directors. It will continue to include Archbishop Georg Gänswein, former secretary to the German pope and current apostolic nuncio to the Baltic countries, as well as German priest Achim Buckenmaier. Two new lay members are joining: Francesca Bazoli, who is a lawyer, and Alberto Gasbarri, former administrative director of Vatican Radio and organizer of the pope's travels during the pontificate of Benedict XVI.
The Scientific Committee, appointed by the Pope, sees the reappointment of Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity; Bishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg. The two new members are Spanish Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life, and Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, Italy. Cardinals Luis Ladaria Ferrer and Gianfranco Ravasi are retiring due to age limits.
Keeping the legacy of Benedict XVI alive
One of the Foundation's main activities is the awarding of the Ratzinger Prize, established in 2011. It is given annually to eminent figures in the field of Christian-inspired culture and art. The winners to date have been theologians, biblical scholars, philosophers, jurists, and artists from different continents and religious denominations.
The 2025 winner was Italian conductor Riccardo Muti, who was presented the award after a concert he conducted on December 12 in the Paul VI Hall, in the presence of Leo XIV.
The five-year period that is now beginning will be marked in particular by the centenary of the birth of Joseph Ratzinger, which will give rise to numerous academic events in 2027.
“The legacy of Ratzinger, theologian and pope, is very much alive, including pastorally, as the source and confirmation of many personal journeys of conversion throughout the world,” says Father Regoli. The Italian priest and historian hopes that the Foundation's projects will reach “young people, who need help rediscovering the beauty of faith, above all in Christ and in the Church.”
