Article (letter) 3500 words Level: high school and above In this Apostolic Letter of 2012, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed Saint Hildegard of Bingen a Doctor of the Universal Church. Pope Benedict mentions St. Hildegard’s scientific work in various places.  He writes: [T]he attribution of the title of Doctor of the Universal Church to Hildegard of Bingen has great significance for today’s world and an extraordinary importance for women. In Hildegard are expressed the most noble values of womanhood: hence the presence of women in the Church and in society is also illumined by her presence, both from the perspective of scientific research and that of pastoral activity. Her ability to speak to those who were far from the faith and from the Church make Hildegard a credible witness of the new evangelization. Click here to access this letter (English version) from the Vatican website.