Pope Benedict XVI

NAME: Pope Benedict XVI

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Former Pope of the Roman Catholic Church

BIRTH: He was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, Holy Saturday, 1927 at Schulstraße 11 at 8:30 in the morning in his parents' home in Marktl, Bavaria, Germany.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: He was the son of Joseph Ratzinger, a police officer, and Maria Ratzinger (née Peil). He had an older brother, Georg, who also became a priest.

CHILDHOOD: Raised in a devout Catholic family, young Joseph experienced the challenges of growing up during the tumultuous years of Nazi Germany. He served in the Hitler Youth, which was mandatory for boys his age.

Benedict described his childhood as shaped by faith and music.

EDUCATION: He pursued his education in theology and philosophy, attending several institutions including the Higher School of Philosophy and Theology of Freising and the University of Munich.

CAREER RECORD: Ordained as a priest in 1951, Ratzinger served as a professor of theology at various universities, rising to become Archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977. Here's his resume:

Professor of Theology at several German universities

Archbishop of Munich and Freising (1977-1982)

Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (1981-2005)

Elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005

APPEARANCE: Pope Benedict XVI had piercing blue eyes and a thoughtful expression. He was a frail and scholarly figure in later years. 

FASHION: His fashion was characterized by simplicity and adherence to traditional papal garments,  including the white cassock, red shoes, and zucchetto (skullcap).

Benedict XVI during a canonization mass by Kancelaria Prezydenta RP - prezydent.pl, Wikipedia

CHARACTER: Known for his intellectual depth, humility, and commitment to doctrinal orthodoxy, Benedict XVI was often described as reserved and scholarly. He was known for his humility and kindness.

On top of his native German, Benedict could hold his own in French, Italian, English, and Spanish. He even dabbled in Portuguese, Latin, and a few biblical languages for good measure.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: While he maintained a serious demeanor, Pope Benedict XVI was known to appreciate wit and humor in appropriate settings.

RELATIONSHIPS: His most significant relationship was with his brother, Georg Ratzinger, with whom he shared a lifelong bond.

MONEY AND FAME: As Pope, Benedict XVI lived a humble life, focused on spiritual and pastoral responsibilities rather than personal wealth or fame.

FOOD AND DRINK: His diet reportedly consisted of simple Bavarian fare, reflecting his roots.

MUSIC AND ARTS: Pope Benedict XVI had a deep appreciation for classical music and traditional sacred art.

He played the piano and had a preference for Mozart and Bach.

LITERATURE: Benedict was, if nothing else, a prodigious writer. He produced encyclicals, catecheses, and a three-volume work on Jesus of Nazareth, which is no small undertaking, particularly when one considers that writing books is not traditionally part of a pope’s job description. However, Benedict was a man who liked a good intellectual wrestle, and his contributions to Catholic thought were widely respected, even by those who didn’t entirely agree with him.

NATURE: He admired the beauty of nature and often emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Benedict was known for his love of classical music and reading, he enjoyed playing the piano and spending quiet time in prayer and contemplation.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While his primary focus was theology, he appreciated the value of scientific inquiry and intellectual rigor.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: By the late 1950s, Ratzinger was already a rockstar theologian, a real heavyweight in the world of religious scholarship. They didn't mess around back then; he snagged a full professorship at the tender age of 31.

For years, he bounced around German universities, a professor of theology leaving minds suitably boggled wherever he went. Then, in 1977, came a surprise promotion – Archbishop of Munich and Freising, a curious choice for someone who hadn't exactly spent his career elbows deep in the everyday hustle of parish life. But hey, the Pope – Paul VI, at the time – clearly saw something special in him.

Five years later, in 1981, Ratzinger landed another bigwig job: Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Now, that's a fancy title for you, basically putting him in charge of making sure Catholic doctrine stayed on the straight and narrow. By 2002, he'd climbed even higher, becoming Dean of the College of Cardinals. By the time he finally reached the top spot, the papacy in 2005, he was already a major player on the Vatican stage, whispering wisdom in John Paul II's ear and shaping the direction of the Church for a good 25 years.

PAPACY  Pope Benedict XVI was in charge of the Roman Catholic Church from April 19, 2005, to February 28, 2013, which, if nothing else, proves that popes do occasionally retire, even if the general expectation is that they will remain in office until forcibly removed by celestial intervention. Benedict, however, was not a man much concerned with expectations.

Benedict was a theologian through and through, which is to say that he spent a great deal of time thinking about things that would leave most of us blinking into our tea. He was deeply concerned about the rise of secularism, which he saw as a bit like an enormous cultural sponge, soaking up all the good, wholesome, traditional values and leaving behind a vague sense of moral dampness. He spoke out against relativism, which, as far as I can tell, is the belief that anything goes so long as you can explain it using impressive words.

Being rather fond of a bit of ceremony, Benedict brought back a few old traditions, which made some people nostalgic and others cross. He permitted greater use of the Tridentine Mass, a form of worship that makes enthusiastic use of Latin, grand gestures, and the general impression that one ought to be on one's best behaviour. He also reintroduced traditional papal vestments, leading some to call him "the pope of aesthetics," which, as titles go, is not the worst one could receive.

Benedict made various efforts to improve relations with other religious groups, some of which were more successful than others. He had a go at building bridges with Eastern Orthodox churches, which was nice, and also made attempts to strengthen dialogue with the Islamic world, though this was made slightly more complicated by a speech he gave in 2006 that, in diplomatic terms, did not go down terribly well. However, all in all, things improved, which just goes to show that even popes sometimes need to issue a clarification.

One of the heavier crosses Benedict had to bear (metaphorically speaking, of course) was the ongoing crisis surrounding sexual abuse within the Church. He took steps to address this, disciplining offenders and tightening procedures, though progress was slow and the problem vast. He also attempted financial reforms, which, given the Vatican's labyrinthine economy, was a bit like trying to untangle fairy lights that had been stored badly for several centuries.

Benedict  presided over World Youth Day events in 2005 and 2011, which involved large numbers of enthusiastic young Catholics, and he also beatified his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, in 2011. One imagines that this was an emotional moment, though no one is entirely sure what the etiquette is when it comes to beatifying one’s former boss.

Then, in 2013, something truly unexpected happened. Benedict, in a move that shocked the world, announced that he was stepping down. He cited a "lack of strength of mind and body," which, given the demands of the role, seemed entirely fair. It was the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years, and people weren’t entirely sure how to react. Popes, after all, are supposed to carry on until they are carried off, but Benedict—always one for doing things properly—decided that if he could no longer serve effectively, he would step aside.

And so, he retired on February 28, 2013 to a quiet life of prayer and study, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual rigour, theological conservatism, and a renewed appreciation for Latin. He was not a showman, nor did he seek to be beloved in the way some of his predecessors and successors were. But he was, in the end, a man deeply committed to his faith and his duty—perhaps, in his own way, the best kind of pope.

SCANDAL: He faced criticism for his handling of child sexual abuse cases during his time as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (1981-2005). Though he took steps to address the issue, some critics felt he did not do enough. This remains a stain on Benedict's legacy.

Benedict's handling of sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church and opposition to usage of condoms in areas of high HIV transmission led to  criticism from public health officials, anti-AIDS activists, and victim's rights organizations

MILITARY RECORD: Benedict served in a labor unit of the German wartime anti-aircraft corps during World War II. He deserted towards the end of the war. This experience likely influenced his later commitment to peace and reconciliation

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: In his later years, Benedict XVI faced health challenges, including arthritis and a stroke. Ultimately, declining health was a major factor in his decision to resign the papacy in 2013.

HOMES Benedict lived in various locations throughout Germany during his academic career, including Freising, Bonn, and Munich.

Following his election as Pope in 2005, his primary residence became the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace within the Vatican City.

Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence outside Rome, also served as a temporary home during his papacy.

TRAVEL: Despite being more of an academic than an adventurer, Benedict did get out and about, visiting places like Brazil, Turkey, the United States, and Cuba

Benedict never learned to drive, but was licensed to fly a helicopter.

DEATH: Pope Benedict XVI passed away on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95. He died at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City, where he had resided since his resignation as Pope in 2013.

Benedict's body lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica from January 2 to 4, 2023. Over 195,000 people paid their respects during this time.

Pope Francis presided over the funeral Mass on January 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. An estimated 50,000 people attended. The service was primarily in Latin, with prayers and readings in multiple languages. The Sistine Chapel Choir provided music.

Following the funeral, Benedict was interred in a private ceremony in the crypt beneath St. Peter's Basilica. He was laid to rest in the same tomb that previously held Pope John Paul II. His coffin was placed in a zinc casket, then an oak outer coffin. Personal items and the "rogito" (a document describing his pontificate) were placed inside. He was buried wearing a red chasuble. The tomb was opened to public visits on January 8, 2023.

This historic event marked the end of an unprecedented period in which both a reigning pope and a retired pope lived within Vatican City.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: He made numerous public appearances during his papacy, addressing global audiences and engaging in dialogue with various religious and cultural leaders.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Pope Benedict XVI's legacy includes his contributions to Catholic theology, his efforts to strengthen interfaith relations, and his commitment to upholding traditional Catholic teachings during a challenging period in the Church's history.