Education: University of Munich, University of Tübingen
Papacy: April 19, 2005 – February 28, 2013
Predecessor: Pope John Paul II
Successor: Pope Francis
Key Facts:
Pope Benedict XVI was the 265th pope of the Catholic Church.
He was the first German pope since the 11th century.
He was a noted theologian and author before becoming pope.
He resigned from the papacy in 2013, the first pope to do so since Gregory XII in 1415.
He died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95.
Papal Career:
Cardinal Ratzinger was elected pope on April 19, 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II.
He chose the name Benedict XVI in honor of Benedict XV, who reigned during World War I, and Saint Benedict of Nursia, the founder of Western monasticism.
During his papacy, Benedict XVI focused on promoting traditional Catholic values and teachings.
He issued several encyclicals, including "Deus Caritas Est" (2005), "Spe Salvi" (2007), and "Caritas in Veritate" (2009).
He also made several controversial statements, such as his condemnation of homosexuality and his opposition to the ordination of women.
In 2013, Benedict XVI announced that he would resign from the papacy, citing his declining health.
He was succeeded by Pope Francis on March 13, 2013.
Post-Papal Life:
After his resignation, Benedict XVI lived in a monastery in the Vatican Gardens.
He continued to write and publish books, including "The Last Testament: In His Own Words" (2016) and "Principles of Catholic Theology" (2018).
He also met with Pope Francis on several occasions.
Benedict XVI died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95.
Legacy:
Pope Benedict XVI was a controversial figure, but he was also a respected theologian and scholar.
His papacy was marked by both traditionalism and outreach to other religions.
His resignation from the papacy was a historic event that set a precedent for future popes.
Additional Information:
Benedict XVI was a member of the Hitler Youth during World War II, but he later renounced his membership and denounced Nazism.
He was a professor of theology at several universities before being appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977.
He was created a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1977.
He served as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1981 to 2005.
He was considered to be one of the most influential theologians in the Catholic Church.
His writings have been translated into more than 20 languages.
