Benedict XII on Seeing the Divine Essence of God in the Beatific Vision

There has been some discussion over what is the magisterial teaching of the final end of the human person. The Catholic Faith holds that the beatific vision or “seeing the Divine Essence” is the final end for which we were created.

Pope Benedict XII in 1336 Benedictus Deus set the record straight on this matter once and for all:

Since the passion and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have seen and see the divine essense with an intuitive vision and even face to face, without the mediation of any creature by way of object of vision; rather the divine essence immediately manifests itself to them, plainly, clearly and openly, and in this vision they enjoy the divine essence. Moreover, by this vision and enjoyment the souls of those who have already died are truly blessed and have eternal life and rest. Also the souls of those who will die in the future will see the same divine essence and will enjoy it before the general judgment.

If you follow Palamas this paragraph is difficult because it states that we see the “divine essence” – a proposition denied by Gregory Palamas.