Former Pope Benedict’s life and times
Joseph Ratzinger, former pope Benedict XVI, died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced Saturday, almost a decade after he became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries. His death brings to an end an unprecedented situation in which two “men in white” – Benedict and his successor Pope Francis – had co-existed […]
(FILES) In this file photo taken on September 28, 2011 Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful as he arrives for his weekly general audience at St Peter’s square at The Vatican (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
Joseph Ratzinger, former pope Benedict XVI, died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced Saturday, almost a decade after he became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries.
His death brings to an end an unprecedented situation in which two “men in white” – Benedict and his successor Pope Francis – had co-existed within the walls of the tiny city-state.
Here are key dates in the life of the former pope:
– April 16, 1927: Born in Marktl am Inn, a small town in Bavaria in southern Germany, and named Joseph Ratzinger.
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– 1941: Forced to join the Hitler Youth.
– 1951: Ordained a priest.
– 1977: Named archbishop of Munich and becomes a cardinal.
– 1981: Heads the Vatican’s doctrinal congregation, once known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition. The post gives him the ultimate responsibility to investigate abuse cases.
– April 19, 2005: Elected pope, succeeding John Paul II, and takes the name Benedict XVI.
– January 2006: Publishes his first encyclical “God is love”, followed by “Saved by hope” in November 2007 and “Charity in truth” in July 2009.
– September 2006: Angers the Muslim world with a speech in which he appears to endorse the view that Islam is inherently violent. He apologises afterwards.
– February 11, 2013: Announces his resignation, which takes effect on February 28. He is the first pope to resign since the Middle Ages and becomes Pope emeritus.
– January 20, 2022: Begs for forgiveness, but issues a strong denial, after a report for the Munich church authorities says he failed to stop paedophilia by priests while he was archbishop between 1977 and 1982.
– December 31, 2022: Dies in the Vatican aged 95.