Pope Benedict XVI

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Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus XVI; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on 16 April 1927) served as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. He was the 265th pope, succeeding Pope John Paul II.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Ratzinger was born in Marktl, Bavaria, Germany. He was the third and youngest child of Joseph Ratzinger Sr., a police officer, and Maria Ratzinger (née Peintner). He was baptized on the same day he was born. Ratzinger grew up in a deeply religious family and was influenced by his father's strong anti-Nazi stance.

Ratzinger entered the minor seminary in Traunstein in 1939. His education was interrupted by World War II, during which he was drafted into the German anti-aircraft corps. After the war, he continued his studies at the University of Munich and the Duchess Georgianum, a theological seminary in Munich.

Academic and Ecclesiastical Career

Ratzinger was ordained as a priest on 29 June 1951 by Cardinal Michael von Faulhaber. He earned a doctorate in theology in 1953 with a dissertation on St. Augustine. He became a professor of theology at various German universities, including the University of Bonn, the University of Münster, and the University of Tübingen.

In 1977, Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising by Pope Paul VI, and he was elevated to the cardinalate three months later. In 1981, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by Pope John Paul II, a position he held until his election as pope.

Papacy

Ratzinger was elected pope on 19 April 2005, taking the name Benedict XVI. His papacy was marked by efforts to address issues within the Church, including the sexual abuse scandal, and to promote traditional Catholic doctrine. He emphasized the importance of Christianity in European culture and sought to improve relations with other religions, including Judaism and Islam.

Benedict XVI published three encyclicals: Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope), and Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). He also wrote a three-volume series on the life of Jesus Christ.

Resignation and Later Life

On 11 February 2013, Benedict XVI announced his resignation, citing advanced age and declining strength. He was the first pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. His resignation took effect on 28 February 2013, and he assumed the title Pope Emeritus. He retired to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens.

Legacy

Benedict XVI's papacy is often seen as a continuation of the conservative theological and doctrinal stance of his predecessor, John Paul II. His writings and teachings continue to influence Catholic thought and practice.

Related Pages

• Pope John Paul II
• Pope Francis
• Vatican City
• Roman Catholic Church
• Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
• Encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI