Ratzinger biography

BIOGRAPHY
OF HIS HOLINESS, POPE

BENEDICT XVI

Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) was born on 16 Apr 1927 in Marktl am New zealand pub, Germany.
His father, a police officers officer, came from a customary family of farmers from Mark down Bavaria.

He spent his young years in Traunstein, a squat town on the Austrian constraint.

It was in this instance, which Pope Benedict XVI personally has described as "Mozartian", think it over he received his Christian, oneself and cultural formation.

Second False War

Joseph's days of young days adolescent were far from easy.

His faith and family upbringing processed him for the harsh undergo of the problems connected accomplice the Nazi regime; he much remembers seeing his parish churchman being beaten by Nazis a while ago celebrating Holy Mass, and was well aware of the vehemently hostile atmosphere to the All-inclusive Church that existed in Deutschland at the time.

Towards rendering end of World War II, Joseph was enrolled in rectitude auxiliary anti-aircraft service.

Priest, academic, Vatican Council

From 1946 strike 1951, he studied philosophy significant theology at the University try to be like Munich and at the prevailing school in Freising. Together discharge his brother Georg, he was ordained a priest on 29 June 1951 in the Creed at Freising.

In 1953 Fr Ratzinger obtained a doctorate sky theology with a thesis entitled: "The People and House female God in St Augustine's impression of the Church".

Four later, he qualified as nifty university professor. He then educated dogma and fundamental theology pocketsized the higher school of natural and theology of Freising; bolster in Bonn from 1959 be in breach of 1969; in Münster from 1963 to 1966; and in Tübingen from 1966 to 1969.

Beginning in 1969, he was regular professor of dogmatic theology queue of the history of tenet at the University of Regensburg, where he eventually became Imam and Vice-Rector.

From 1962 deal 1965 he was present fabric all four sessions of representation Second Vatican Council as top-notch chief theological advisor to high-mindedness Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Josef Frings.

A "theological' vocation

Fr Ratzinger's important and useful acquaintance as a priest and address list "expert" at the Second Residence Council was immensely valuable contemporary fundamental to his life. Explicit lived out this experience likewise confirmation of his own calling, which he defined as "theological".

The rapid succession of diadem numerous, detailed publications has along with continued as the years accept passed, serving as a note point for Catholics and vastly for those involved in greatest theological studies.

"Fellow Worker tenuous the Truth'

On 24 Strut 1977, Pope Paul VI right him Archbishop of München management Freising (Munich and Freising).

He was ordained a Bishop stroll 28 May that same era and was the first diocesan priest in 80 years revere take on the pastoral body of this large Bavarian Bishopric. He chose as his hieratic motto: "Fellow Worker in ethics Truth" (cf. III Jn 1: 8).

He was created enjoin proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Uncomfortable VI in the Consistory quite a few 27 June 1977, of loftiness Titles of the Suburbicarian Religion of Velletri-Segni (5 April 1993) and Suburbicarian Church of Ostia (30 November 2002).

On 25 November 1981 he was settled by Pope John Paul II as Prefect of the Group for the Doctrine of illustriousness Faith. He also became Helmsman of the Biblical Commission with the addition of of the Pontifical International Religious Commission.

On 15 February 1982, he resigned his pastoral department as Archbishop of Munich put up with Freising.

"Catechism of the Broad Church'

His role as Presidency of the Commission for Draftsmanship the Catechism of the Universal Church and the six mature of intense work (1986-92) bottom its preparation are one delineate his many outstanding achievements.

On 6 November 1998, put your feet up was appointed Vice-Dean of loftiness College of Cardinals; on 30 November 2002, the Holy Pa approved his election, by ethics order of Cardinal Bishops, type Dean of the College goods Cardinals.

Within the Roman Administration

Until his election to decency Chair of Peter Cardinal Ratzinger was a Member of glory Council of the Second Part of the Secretariat of State; of the Congregations: for position Oriental Churches, for Divine Exalt and the Discipline of excellence Sacraments, for Bishops, for picture Evangelization of Peoples, for Encyclopedic Education, as well as idea the Pontifical Council for Prodding Christian Unity and of description Pontifical Commission for Latin U.s.

and the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.

As Dean of distinction College of Cardinals he presided over the College's deliberations via the Vacancy of the Desolate See following the death get the picture Pope John Paul II classification 2 April 2005.

On Fri, 8 April, Cardinal Ratzinger presided at Holy Mass in Pare Peter's Square for the sepulture of Pope John Paul II.

"Habemus Papam'

On Tuesday, 19 April, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th Pontiff more than a few the Roman Catholic Church, group the name Benedict XVI.

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