Vatican City, Feb 23, 2011 / 13:52 pm
St. Robert Bellarmine's life and spirituality was the focus of Pope Benedict XVI's teaching during his weekly general audience Feb. 23.
This Jesuit cardinal was remembered by the Pope for his great legacy of writings and teachings and for his capacity to maintain sanctity amid a great deal of work.
He was born in 1542 near Siena, Italy. He studied as a theologian, was ordained priest and became a professor. Later in life, he dedicated much of his time to the important questions of reform, doctrine and stabilizing the Church in divisive times.
His most famous work was a brief catechism written in the last decade of the 16th century, but he had many other works besides. Some of his writings examining how to approach revelation, the nature of the Church and the sacraments are still valid today, said the Pope.