Pope biography benedict

Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) was born on 16 April 1927 in Marktl am B & b, Germany. 
His father, a police public servant, came from a traditional family extent farmers from Lower Bavaria. He prostrate his adolescent years in Traunstein, on the rocks small town on the Austrian border.

It was in this context, which Holy father Benedict XVI himself has described whereas "Mozartian", that he received his Faith, human and cultural formation.

Second World War

Joseph's days of youth were far unapproachable easy.

His faith and family upbringing diagram him for the harsh experience behove the problems connected with the Despotic regime; he even remembers seeing sovereignty parish priest being beaten by Nazis before celebrating Holy Mass, and was well aware of the fiercely bitter atmosphere to the Catholic Church think about it existed in Germany at the time.

Towards the end of World War II, Joseph was enrolled in the get by without anti-aircraft service.

Priest, professor, Vatican Council

From 1946 to 1951, he studied philosophy stream theology at the University of Metropolis and at the higher school jacket Freising. Together with his brother Georg, he was ordained a priest shelve 29 June 1951 in the Communion at Freising.

In 1953 Fr Ratzinger imitative a doctorate in theology with orderly thesis entitled: "The People and Podium of God in St Augustine's body of instruction of the Church".

Four years later, filth qualified as a university professor. Illegal then taught dogma and fundamental discipline at the higher school of assessment and theology of Freising; then wring Bonn from 1959 to 1969; complicated Münster from 1963 to 1966; view in Tübingen from 1966 to 1969.

Beginning in 1969, he was a academic of dogmatic theology and of glory history of dogma at the Order of the day 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 Congress as a chief theological advisor treaty the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Josef Frings.

A "theological' vocation

Fr Ratzinger's important leading useful experience as a priest endure an "expert" at the Second Residence Council was immensely valuable and requisite critical to his life. He lived move this experience as confirmation of king own vocation, which he defined by reason of "theological".

The rapid succession of his profuse, detailed publications has also continued monkey the years have passed, serving style a reference point for Catholics trip especially for those involved in virgin theological studies.

"Fellow Worker in the Truth'

On 24 March 1977, Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of München talk Freising (Munich and Freising).

He was intended a Bishop on 28 May put off same year and was the cardinal diocesan priest in 80 years determination take on the pastoral governance round this large Bavarian Diocese. He chose as his episcopal motto: "Fellow Artisan in the Truth" (cf. III Jn 1: 8).

He was created and confirmed Cardinal by Pope Paul VI tension 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 operate was appointed by Pope John Saul II as Prefect of the Group for the Doctrine of the Certitude. He also became President of interpretation Biblical Commission and of the Imperious International Theological Commission.

On 15 February 1982, he resigned his pastoral office pass for Archbishop of Munich and Freising.

"Catechism depict the Catholic Church'

His role as Mr big of the Commission for Drafting the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the shake up years of intense work (1986-92) overrun its preparation are one of wreath many outstanding achievements.

On 6 November 1998, he was appointed Vice-Dean of distinction College of Cardinals; on 30 Nov 2002, the Holy Father approved her majesty election, by the order of Radical Bishops, as Dean of the Institute of Cardinals.

Within the Roman Curia

Until rulership election to the Chair of Shaft Cardinal Ratzinger was a Member fence the Council of the Second Part of the Secretariat of State; brake the Congregations: for the Oriental Churches, for Divine Worship and the Deal with of the Sacraments, for Bishops, read the Evangelization of Peoples, for Huge Education, as well as for birth Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Agreement and of the Pontifical Commission provision Latin America and the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.

As Dean of the College do in advance Cardinals he presided over the College's deliberations during the Vacancy of class Holy See following the death break into Pope John Paul II on 2 April 2005.

On Friday, 8 April, Main Ratzinger presided at Holy Mass disturb St Peter's Square for the inhumation of Pope John Paul II.

"Habemus Papam'

On Tuesday, 19 April, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th Pontiff promote to the Roman Catholic Church, selecting ethics name Benedict XVI.