An intellectual giant of the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas is best known for the clarity of thought in his philosophical and theological writings. His primary occupation at the University of Paris was as a theologian and a commentator on Sacred Scripture, and his philosophical work was always at the service of his Scriptural meditations. The writings of Thomas Aquinas remain widely influential to this day. "In his thinking, the demands of reason and the power of faith found the most elevated synthesis ever attained by human thought." (John Paul II, Fides et Ratio)