Pope Benedict XVI

Also known as

Joseph Alois Ratzinger

Profile

Son of a police officer from Lower Bavaria. In 1929 his family moved to Tittmoning, but after his anti-Nazi father get into trouble with locals, they moved to Traunstein in 1932. In 1941 at age 14 he was required to join the Hitler Youth, but never attended any meetings. In 1943 at age 16 he was drafted into the auxiliary anti-aircraft service; apparently never fired a shot. In 1944 he was released from the unit, but immediately drafted into a forced labor gang, forced to dig anti-tank trenches. After a few months he was released, but almost immediately drafted into the regular army. Joseph completed basic training, but in 1945 he deserted rather than kill anyone; apparently never fired a shot. Captured by Americans, he spent time in an Allied prisoner of war camp. Studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at Freising from 1946 to 1951. Ordained, along with his brother Georg, on 29 June 1951.

Teacher. Doctor of theology in 1953. University professor in 1957, teaching dogma and fundamental theology in Freising (1957 to 1959), the University of Bonn (1959 to 1969), Münster (1963 to 1966), and the University of Tübinga (1966 to 1969). Worked with the theologian Hans Kung, but when he saw that the liberals were approaching Marxism, Joseph became a firm traditionalist. Professor of dogmatic theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg in 1969. Vice President of the University of Regensburg. Theology consultor at Vatican II to Cardinal Joseph Frings, 1962 to 1965. One of the founders of the theological periodical Communio. Archbishop of Munich and Freising on 28 May 1977. Created cardinal on 27 June 1977 by Pope Paul VI. Relator of the Fifth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 1980. Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 25 November 1981. President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. President of the International Theological Commission. President Delegate to the Sixth Synodal Assembly of Bishops in 1983. President of the Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1986 to 1992). Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, 6 November 1998. Honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 13 November 2000. Dean of the College of Cardinals on 30 November 2002. 265th pope.

Born

Saturday 16 April 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany as Joseph Alois Ratzinger

Papal Ascension

Tuesday 19 April 2005

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Benedict XVI's email address (Benedictxvi@vatican.va)

Beatifications

2005: Blessed Andrés Solá Molist
2005: Blessed Antonio Pérez Lários
2005: Blessed Anacleto González Flores
2005: Blessed Clemens August von Galen
2005: Blessed Eurosia Fabris
2005: Blessed Florentina Nicol Goni
2005: Blessed Francisco Castells Brenuy
2005: Blessed José Boher Foix
2005: Blessed José Juan Perot Juanmarti
2005: Blessed Jose Tàpies Sirvant
2005: Blessed Ladislaus Findysz
2005: Blessed Maria Crucified 2005: Blessed Marianne Cope
2005: Blessed María De Los Ángeles Ginard Martí
2005: Blessed Teresa Maria Mastena 2005: Blessed Pascual Araguàs Guàrdia
2005: Blessed Pedro Martret Molet
2005: Blessed Silvestre Arnau Pascuet
2006: Blessed Margarita de Maturana
2006: Blessed Augustine Thevarparampil
2006: Blessed Eustáquio van Lieshout
2006: Blessed Eufrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Eluvathingal
2006: Blessed Luigi Monza
2006: Blessed Luigi Biraghi
2006: Blessed Marie Therese of Saint Joseph
2006: Blessed Mosè Tovini
2006: Blessed Margarita de Maturana
2006: Blessed Maria Teresa of Jesus
2006: Blessed Mariano de la Mata Aparicio
2006: Blessed Maria Grazia Tarallo
2006: Blessed Paul Josef Nardini
2006: Blessed Rita Amada de Jesus
2006: Blessed Sára Salkaházi
2007: Blessed Francesco Spoto 2007: Blessed Luigi Boccardo

Canonizations

2005: Saint Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga
2005: Saint Felice da Nicosia
2005: Saint Gaetano Catanoso
2005: Saint Jósef Bilczewski
2005: Saint Zygmunt Gorazdowski
2006: Saint Filippo Smaldone
2006: Saint Raphael Guizar Valencia
2006: Saint Rose Venerini
2006: Saint Theodore Guerin
2007: Saint Antonio of Saint Anne 2007: Saint Charles of Mount Argus 2007: Saint George Preca
2007: Saint Marie Eugénie de Jésus 2007: Saint Simon of Lipnicza

Writings and Speeches

• Deus Caritas Est, 25 December 2005
• The People and House of God in Saint Augustine’s Doctrine of the Church (1953)
• Introduction to Christianity (1968)
• Dogma and revelation (1973)
• Biblical Interpretation in Crisis: On the Question of the Foundations and Approaches of Exegesis Today (27 January 1988)
• Conscience and Truth (February 1991)
• Christ, Faith and the Challenge of Cultures (March 1993)
• Reconciling Gospel And Torah: The Catechism (1 April 1996)
• Relativism: The Central Problem for Faith Today (May 1996)
• Question of Truth Lies at Centre of Theology (2 December 1996)
• Salt of the Earth (1997)
• Milestones. Memoirs: 1927 to 1997 (1997)
• God and World (2000)
• Spirit of the Liturgy (2000)
• Values in a Time of Upheaval (2005)
• Homily of the Funeral Mass of Pope John Paul II (8 April 2005)
• Homily at the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass (18 April 2005)
• First Message at the End of the Eucharistic Concelebration with the Members of the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel (20 April 2005)
• Address to the Representatives of Social Communications (23 April 2005)
• Homily of his Papal Installation Mass (24 April 2005)
• General Audience (27 April 2005)

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Readings

Dear brothers and sisters, after the Great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble worker in the Lord's vineyard. I am comforted by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with insufficient instruments. And above all, I entrust myself to your prayers. With the joy of the risen Lord and confidence in His constant help, we will go forward. The Lord will help us and Mary, His most holy mother, will be alongside us.

- Pope Benedict XVI, Urbi et Orbi blessing at his ascension to the papacy