Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus PP. XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Alois Ratzinger, German: [ˈjoːzɛf ˈʔaːlɔɪ̯s ˈʁat͡sɪŋɐ]; 16 April 1927 – 31 December 2022) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28

Jan 30, 2025 · Benedict XVI was bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. His papacy faced several challenges, including the effects of the scandal beginning in the late 1990s surrounding the church’s handling of sexual abuse by priests. He became the first pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier released a statement, saying that "Germany mourns Pope Benedict XVI and will remember his work." [114] Chancellor Olaf Scholz released a statement, saying that "as the 'German' pope, Benedict XVI was a special church leader for many, not just in this country. The world is losing a formative figure of the ...

Dec 31, 2022 · Following the announcement of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday at the age of 95, we look back at his long life and its main highlights with the following official biography.

Dec 31, 2022 · Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a reluctant pope who never wanted to be pontiff. So it should have come as little surprise that with a few words uttered in Latin on a Vatican holiday in 2013, Benedict ended it all.

Dec 31, 2022 · Former Pope Benedict XVI has died, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health. He led the Catholic Church for fewer than eight years until, in 2013, he became the...

Apr 3, 2014 · In February 2013, Benedict XVI shocked Catholic leadership and faithful alike by resigning from his position as pope, the first to do so in six centuries. He lived in a monastery on Vatican...

Find information on the life and pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, including his speeches, letters, documents, travels, and messages.