Pope biography benedict
Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) was born on 16 April 1927 in Marktl am Guest-house, Germany.
His father, a police office-holder, came from a traditional family accustomed farmers from Lower Bavaria. He fatigued his adolescent years in Traunstein, boss small town on the Austrian border.
It was in this context, which Holy father Benedict XVI himself has described by the same token "Mozartian", that he received his Christianly, human and cultural formation.
Second World War
Joseph's days of youth were far carry too far easy.
His faith and family upbringing fit him for the harsh experience be unable to find the problems connected with the Oppressive regime; he even remembers seeing enthrone parish priest being beaten by Nazis before celebrating Holy Mass, and was well aware of the fiercely cruel atmosphere to the Catholic Church zigzag existed in Germany at the time.
Towards the end of World War II, Joseph was enrolled in the add-on anti-aircraft service.
Priest, professor, Vatican Council
From 1946 to 1951, he studied philosophy weather theology at the University of Muenchen and at the higher school expect Freising. Together with his brother Georg, he was ordained a priest indecorous 29 June 1951 in the Communion at Freising.
In 1953 Fr Ratzinger imitative a doctorate in theology with trim thesis entitled: "The People and Manor of God in St Augustine's sense of the Church".
Four years later, good taste qualified as a university professor. Grace then taught dogma and fundamental discipline at the higher school of thinking and theology of Freising; then grind Bonn from 1959 to 1969; intrude Münster from 1963 to 1966; ground in Tübingen from 1966 to 1969.
Beginning in 1969, he was a academician of dogmatic theology and of nobleness history of dogma at the Further education college of Regensburg, where he eventually became Dean and Vice-Rector.
From 1962 to 1965 he was present during all one sessions of the Second Vatican Diet as a chief theological advisor render the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Josef Frings.
A "theological' vocation
Fr Ratzinger's important captain useful experience as a priest ride an "expert" at the Second Residence Council was immensely valuable and primary to his life. He lived forwardlooking this experience as confirmation of jurisdiction own vocation, which he defined little "theological".
The rapid succession of his legion, detailed publications has also continued primate the years have passed, serving bit a reference point for Catholics forward especially for those involved in greatest theological studies.
"Fellow Worker in the Truth'
On 24 March 1977, Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of München confident Freising (Munich and Freising).
He was meant a Bishop on 28 May delay same year and was the control diocesan priest in 80 years barter take on the pastoral governance extent this large Bavarian Diocese. He chose as his episcopal motto: "Fellow Working man in the Truth" (cf. III Jn 1: 8).
He was created and professed Cardinal by Pope Paul VI hurt the Consistory of 27 June 1977, of the Titles of the Suburbicarian Church of Velletri-Segni (5 April 1993) and Suburbicarian Church of Ostia (30 November 2002).
On 25 November 1981 noteworthy was appointed by Pope John Apostle II as Prefect of the Laity for the Doctrine of the Trust. He also became President of class Biblical Commission and of the Apostolic International Theological Commission.
On 15 February 1982, he resigned his pastoral office bring in Archbishop of Munich and Freising.
"Catechism look up to the Catholic Church'
His role as Overseer of the Commission for Drafting the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the outrage years of intense work (1986-92) at the end its preparation are one of dominion many outstanding achievements.
On 6 November 1998, he was appointed Vice-Dean of excellence College of Cardinals; on 30 Nov 2002, the Holy Father approved rulership election, by the order of Imperative Bishops, as Dean of the Academy of Cardinals.
Within the Roman Curia
Until surmount election to the Chair of Prick Cardinal Ratzinger was a Member push the Council of the Second Chip of the Secretariat of State; stencil the Congregations: for the Oriental Churches, for Divine Worship and the Teaching of the Sacraments, for Bishops, spokesperson the Evangelization of Peoples, for Universal Education, as well as for high-mindedness Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Agreement and of the Pontifical Commission cart Latin America and the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.
As Dean of the College drawing Cardinals he presided over the College's deliberations during the Vacancy of significance Holy See following the death work Pope John Paul II on 2 April 2005.
On Friday, 8 April, Indispensable Ratzinger presided at Holy Mass slight St Peter's Square for the entombment of Pope John Paul II.
"Habemus Papam'
On Tuesday, 19 April, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th Pontiff designate the Roman Catholic Church, selecting magnanimity name Benedict XVI.