Pope Leo XIV to present Notre Dame theologian John Cavadini with the 2026 Ratzinger Prize

The original article, written and published by Adah McMillan, was shared on news.nd.edu. 

John Cavadini, professor and director of the doctoral program in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, will receive the 2026 Ratzinger Prize in Theology, widely regarded as the most prestigious award in the field.

Pope Leo XIV will present the prize to Cavadini at the Vatican Apostolic Palace on December 19. Cavadini is the third theologian from Notre Dame to win the Ratzinger Prize, following professors emeriti Cyril O’Regan (who received the award from Pope Francis in 2024) and Rev. Brian E. Daley, S.J. (honored by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012).

“I am very humbled to receive this award, especially after two truly giants in our field and members of our department have received it,” Cavadini said. “I have sought to live out my vocation as a theologian following the example of Origen of Alexandria, a third-century theologian, who repeatedly declared that he wished to be a vir ecclesiasticus, a man of the Church. At Notre Dame, I have been able to live out my vocation as a man of the Church and, at the same time, as a man of the academy.”

Since 2011, the Ratzinger Prize has been annually awarded to scholars, both Catholic and of other faiths, who have made significant contributions to the study of theology in fields such as philosophy, law, and sociology. In recent years, the scope has also expanded to honor musicians, architects, and sculptors.

In announcing the award, the Vatican recognized Cavadini for his work in patristic theology, with a focus on St. Augustine. “Cavadini is highly regarded for the rigor of his theological publications, his commitment and zeal in university teaching, his academic expertise, his pastoral passion, and his lifelong service to the Church,” said Roberto Regoli, president of the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation.

In addition to his work on Augustine, Cavadini’s research focuses on early medieval theology and the history of biblical and patristic exegesis. His scholarship includes books such as Visioning Augustine, more than 50 articles in refereed journals or edited collections, and a forthcoming work titled Augustine’s On the Trinity: A Companion.

Cavadini received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University, a master’s degree from Marquette University, and a doctorate from Yale University. He came to Notre Dame in 1990 and has since served in a number of administrative and scholarly positions, including chairing the theology department from 1997 to 2010 and directing the McGrath Institute for Church Life for 26 years. In 2009, Cavadini was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to a five-year term on the International Theological Commission, and since 2003, he has been a consultant for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine.

In addition to his leadership appointments, he has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses and directed nearly 40 dissertations.

“I would hope that honored with this award are all of my students—past and present and future, graduate and undergraduate—all of my colleagues in the Department of Theology to whom I owe so much, and all of the faculty and staff of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, of whose gifts I have been the beneficiary for the last 26 years,” Cavadini said. “Most of all, perhaps, I hope this award redounds, with gratitude, to the credit of Our Lady, the patroness of our University, under whose protection we have flourished for the last 183 years, and may it be so for the next 183 years.”

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