--- title: Benedict XVI’s 'What Is Christianity? The Last Writings' description: Shannon Whitmore reviews a new compilation of the last writings of Pope Benedict XVI, from Ignatius Press. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230926%20SWhitmore%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/benedict-xvis-what-is-christianity-the-last-writings#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Benedict XVI’s 'What Is Christianity? The Last Writings' Sep 26, 2023 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Shannon Whitmore](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/shannon-whitmore) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230926%20SWhitmore%201.png) *Shannon Whitmore reviews a new compilation of the last writings of Pope Benedict XVI, from Ignatius Press.* --- Benedict XVI’s final work, [*What Is Christianity? The Last Writings,*](https://ignatius.com/what-is-christianity-wcsth/) is a collection of letters, public addresses, and essays that cover a variety of topics ranging from Jewish-Christian relations to reform of the liturgy. It is an eclectic collection of writings that beautifully reveal issues that were close to the heart of Benedict XVI. Although he resigned from the papacy in 2013, he did not cease to be an astute theologian and a wonderful author during the decade that followed. Like all of his other writings, these last essays are easy to read and help the reader to gain a better understanding of the issues Benedict XVI has chosen to address.    ![What Is Christianity](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/What%20Is%20Christianity.jpg?width=955&height=1500&name=What%20Is%20Christianity.jpg)   It was a great privilege and gift to receive one final chance to delve into the mind of Pope Benedict XVI, one that came as a wonderful surprise after his passing late last year. He addresses controversial and sensitive topics with a gentleness that I have come to associate with his writings. He speaks the truth with charity and is a wonderful example of how all Catholics might be able to better engage with our Jewish, Muslim, and secular brothers and sisters (as well as fellow Christians).   If you were a fan of Pope Benedict XVI already, I would highly recommend this book. If you’ve never encountered this great theologian’s writings before, this is a great place to start. *[What Is Christianity? The Last Writings](https://ignatius.com/what-is-christianity-wcsth/) *offers readers a final chance to encounter the thoughts of one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century, and that is definitely a chance worth taking.  Ask for *What Is Christianity?* at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/What-Christianity-Pope-Benedict-XVI/dp/1621646556/) or the publisher, **[Ignatius Press](https://ignatius.com/what-is-christianity-wcsth/).**   **![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20230927%20SWhitmore%20IG.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20230927%20SWhitmore%20IG.png)**   --- Copyright 2023 Shannon Whitmore Images: Holy Cross Family Ministries (2005); Canva ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fbenedict-xvis-what-is-christianity-the-last-writings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fbenedict-xvis-what-is-christianity-the-last-writings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fbenedict-xvis-what-is-christianity-the-last-writings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Benedict%20XVI%E2%80%99s%20%27What%20Is%20Christianity%3F%20The%20Last%20Writings%27) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fbenedict-xvis-what-is-christianity-the-last-writings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fbenedict-xvis-what-is-christianity-the-last-writings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Shannon Whitmore](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/SHANNON%20WHITMORE.jpeg) ### [Shannon Whitmore](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/shannon-whitmore) Shannon Whitmore currently lives in northwestern Virginia with her husband, Andrew, and their two children, John and Felicity. When she is not caring for her children, Shannon enjoys writing for her blog, Love in the Little Things, reading fiction, and working in youth ministry. She has experience serving in the areas of youth ministry, religious education, sacramental preparation, and marriage enrichment. ## Related Blog Articles [ God Wants Us to Be Perfect, Not Perfectionists Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/god-wants-us-to-be-perfect-not-perfectionists) [ 5 Ways Moms Can Make Time for Prayer Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/5-ways-moms-can-make-time-for-prayer) [ How Becoming a Mom Turned Me into a Rosary-Praying Woman Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/how-becoming-a-mom-turned-me-into-a-rosary-praying-woman) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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