New English edition unveils unpublished homilies of Pope Benedict XVI, offering deep insight into his Christ-centered preaching.
Newsroom (24/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) A newly released English edition of “The Lord Holds Us by the Hand” brings to light previously unpublished homilies by Pope Benedict XVI, offering readers a rare and intimate encounter with the theological and pastoral voice of Joseph Ratzinger. The collection provides insight into his spiritual depth, his clarity of thought, and his enduring emphasis on a personal relationship with Christ.
Originally published in Italian by the Vatican Publishing House under the title “Il Signore ci tiene per mano,” the volume gathers homilies delivered between 2005 and 2017. These reflections span the liturgical seasons of Advent, Lent, and Easter—periods central to the Christian year—and reflect Benedict XVI’s sustained engagement with the rhythms of faith and worship.
The book is edited by Riccardo Bollati, Luca Caruso, and Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, who also serves as President of the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation. It features a preface by Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the late pope’s longtime personal secretary, along with an introduction by Fr. Lombardi. Together, these contributions frame the collection as both a theological resource and a personal testament to Benedict’s spiritual legacy.
Private Liturgies, Public Significance
The homilies included in the volume were delivered during private Masses celebrated by Benedict XVI with the papal household and invited guests. These liturgies took place both during his pontificate and after his resignation in 2013, when he lived as Pope Emeritus.
Some of the sermons were preached in the chapel of the Apostolic Palace, while others were delivered at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery within Vatican City, where Benedict spent his final years. Despite their originally private context, the texts reveal a breadth and depth that extends far beyond their setting.
They highlight Benedict XVI’s distinctive ability to interpret Sacred Scripture in ways that speak both to theological inquiry and everyday Christian experience. His reflections consistently draw out themes of faith, prayer, and moral life, while remaining accessible and grounded.
A Christ-Centered Theology
At the heart of the collection lies a defining feature of Joseph Ratzinger’s spiritual vision: an unwavering focus on Christ. The homilies emphasize not abstract theological constructs but a living relationship with Jesus as the foundation of Christian faith.
Throughout the sermons, Benedict returns repeatedly to the image evoked in the book’s title—the Lord guiding and sustaining believers by the hand. This metaphor underscores a central conviction in his thought: that the Christian journey is not undertaken alone but is shaped by God’s continual presence and mercy.
The texts also demonstrate the seamless connection between Benedict’s academic theology and his pastoral mission. His homilies echo the same clarity, intellectual rigor, and spiritual depth that characterized his years as pope, while also reflecting a deeply personal tone shaped by prayer and contemplation.
Part of a Larger Project
“The Lord Holds Us by the Hand” marks the first volume in a planned series of Benedict XVI’s unpublished homilies. A second installment, focusing on texts from Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar, is expected to follow, further expanding access to his previously unseen reflections.
The Italian edition was formally presented on May 17 at the Turin International Book Fair during a panel titled “Benedict XVI: ‘Christ is a future!’ The unpublished homilies.” The event featured Fr. Federico Lombardi and Italian singer-songwriter Giovanni Lindo Ferretti, moderated by Andrea Tornielli, Editorial Director of the Dicastery for Communication.
A Renewed Encounter
With the release of the English edition, these homilies are now accessible to a broader global audience. The publication invites readers not only to revisit the theological contributions of Benedict XVI but also to engage with his pastoral voice—one marked by humility, clarity, and a profound sense of hope.
More than a historical collection, the volume serves as a contemporary spiritual resource, reaffirming Benedict XVI’s enduring message: that faith finds its meaning in a living encounter with Christ, who accompanies humanity through every staPreview (opens in a new tab)ge of its journey.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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