Pope Benedict XVI

His Holiness Benedict XVI p.p.

His Holiness Benedict XVI is the current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church (2005-), succeeding John Paul II.

Early Life

He was born in Marktl am Inn, Germany on April 16, 1927 as Joseph Ratzinger. As a child, he lived in Traunstein where much of his philosophy developed.

Education

His Holiness studied at the higher School of Freising and University of Munich. He received a Doctor of Theology Degree in 1953.

Ordination

He was ordained Father Joseph Ratzinger on June 29, 1951.

Appointment to the See of Munich

Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freisling on March 25, 1977.

Cardinal

He was chosen to the College of Cardinals by Paul VI on June 27, 1977. He was thereafter known as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.

College Positions

On November 6, 1998, he was elected Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals. On November 30, 2002 he was elected Dean of the College.

Accession to the Papacy

His Holiness Benedict XVI p.p. on his 80th Birthday

On April 2, 2005, John Paul II passed away. Following the prescribed mourning period, the College of Cardinals was summoned to the Vatican for the Papal Conclave. He was widely regarded as one of the strongest candidates for election to the papacy. On April 19, 2005 after a prior false signal, white smoke appeared at the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the traditional sign of a new pope. As in the past, the Cardinal Protodeacon, Jorge Cardinal Medina Estevez, appeared on the balcony and proclaimed the following;

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum:
Habemus Papam!
Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum Joseph,
Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Ratzinger,
Qui sibi nomen imposuit Benedict XVI.

(I announce to you all a great joy:
We have a pope!
A most Eminent and Reverend Lord,
Lord Joseph,
Cardinal Ratzinger, of the Holy Roman Church,
Who has imposed a name for himself: Benedict XVI.)

See also

Our Lady of Guadalupe

External links

• The Vatican Italian web site.