Running through all of his teachings on art, architecture, and music was Pope Benedict’s theology of beauty. Beauty was seen as fundamental to faith and to the perception of truth.

Benedict XVI and the Way of Beauty

by Duncan G. Stroik

Something unusual is revealed here as well: the house of God is the true house of humans. It becomes the house of humans even more the less it tries to be this and the more it is simply put up for him. — Pope Benedict XVI

In modern memory, has there been a Pope who has been so outspoken on the topic of art, architecture, and music as Pope Benedict XVI? 

Central to his thinking was the idea that art and architecture can speak to us.

Benedict taught that architecture should make visible the invisible and point us toward the infinite. 

“I did once say that to me art and the saints are the greatest apologetics for our faith.” 

For instance, in describing Michelangelo’s Sistine ceiling he exposits, “In that moment of contact between the finger of God and the finger of man, we perceive the point of contact between heaven and earth; in Adam God enters into a new relationship with his Creation, man is in direct relationship with Him, he is called by Him, he is in the image and likeness of God.” 

During his homily at the dedication of the church of the Sagrada Família in 2010 the Pope said, “Gaudí, by opening his spirit to God, was capable of creating in this city a space of beauty, faith and hope which leads man to an encounter with him who is truth and beauty itself.” 

In fact, during his travels Pope Benedict XVI often commented on great art and architecture and their meaning for believers.

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