The Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation‘s appointment of Father Roberto Regoli as president on January 27, 2026, appears strategic rather than surprising. Regoli, a professor of contemporary Church history at the Pontifical Gregorian University, already leads the committee planning Pope Benedict’s 2027 centenary celebrations. He succeeds Father Federico Lombardi after a ten-year term. The choice reflects continuity in leadership as the Foundation approaches its most significant commemorative milestone, with Regoli’s academic credentials and existing committee work positioning him to guide the institution’s next phase.
The Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation announced on January 27, 2026, that Cardinal Pietro Parolin has appointed Father Roberto Regoli as its new president, succeeding Father Federico Lombardi after a decade of service. The appointment concludes Lombardi’s ten-year term and follows the end of a five-year cycle that began in 2020, positioning the Foundation for its next phase of work.
Father Regoli brings credentials that align closely with the Foundation’s mission to preserve the theological and academic legacy of Pope Benedict XVI. An Italian priest of Piedmontese origin, he serves as a professor of contemporary Church history at the Pontifical Gregorian University and edits the journal *Archivum Historiae Pontificiae*. He currently leads the Foundation’s committee planning the celebration of Pope Benedict’s 100th birth anniversary in 2027, a role that demonstrates his familiarity with the institution’s priorities. Regoli has authored numerous works on the papacy and pontifical diplomacy, with particular emphasis on the Napoleonic period. He also serves as editor of Archivum Historiae Pontificiae, the Archive of Pontifical History. His academic focus on Church history and papal studies reflects the Foundation’s commitment to preserving theological legacy.
Father Regoli’s academic expertise and leadership of the 2027 centenary committee position him ideally for the Foundation presidency.
In his statement released through the Pontifical Gregorian University, Regoli praised his predecessor as a guide who led with prudence and confidence. He described Lombardi, who served as director of the Holy See Press Office during Pope Benedict’s pontificate, as the “public and serene face of the Foundation” and indicated that Lombardi would remain a point of reference going forward.
The Foundation, formally named the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation, is best known for administering the annual Joseph Ratzinger Prize. It operates under a board of directors led by the president, with a Scientific Committee appointed by the Pope.
Concurrent with Regoli’s appointment, the Foundation announced updates to its Scientific Committee. Cardinal Kurt Koch, Bishop Rino Fisichella, and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer were reappointed, while Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime and Archbishop Bruno Forte joined as new members. Cardinals Luis Ladaria Ferrer and Gianfranco Ravasi retired due to age.
The timing of the announcement, just over a year before the 2027 centenary celebrations, suggests continuity and preparation. Multiple sources confirmed the news on January 28, 2026, through Vatican-related outlets, marking a measured shift in leadership as the Foundation enters its next chapter.
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