Catholic philosopher Michael Novak died Friday at age 83 after suffering from colon cancer.
Novak's career brought him to Rome to attend Pontifical Gregorian University and, later, to meet Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, according to The Washington Post. He authored more than 30 books, including two novels.
Novak also served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights during the early years of President Ronald Reagan's administration.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue praised Novak in a statement.
"Michael Novak was more than a brilliant and dedicated Catholic, his range of scholarship was astounding," Donohue said. "Theologian, sociologist, economist, political scientist — he was all of these and more.
"I have many fond memories of my exchanges with Mike. He was courageous and kind, thoughtful and considerate, and always there when you needed him. His commitment to the Catholic League's best interests meant a great deal to me and to the organization; he served on our board of advisors for over 20 years.
"God bless Michael Novak. He will surely be missed."
Novak was also a contributor to National Review, a website that published several stories to remember his life on Friday.
"What gave him the greatest satisfaction was seeing others get the light of understanding in their eyes and the joy of discovery on their faces," wrote George Weigel of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. "He would, I think, be willing to be judged by the world on that, his vocation as a teacher: and the judgment would, if just, be a very favorable one."