Paolo Prosperi obtained a degree in Ancient Literature from the Catholic University of Milan, a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, and a doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in 2004, of which this publication constitutes his doctoral thesis. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Patrology and Systematic Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America (Washington, USA).