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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Died at 95

The Vatican announced Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away Saturday morning at 9:34 a.m. He was 95 years of age.  

Outside of the United States, he is remembered most quickly. Catholic Church for his surprise resignation — the first papal abdication since 1415 — and subsequent life as the world’s first “pope emeritus” In the hundreds. 

Benedict was born Joseph Ratzinger in Bavaria on April 16, 1927. After World War I, he was born in Germany to a Nazi regime that was growing in power.  

His Roman Catholic family — harassed and punished by the Nazi Party for their opposition to state policies — shaped his desire to commit to the church. 

POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT IS ‘VERY SICK,’ POPE FRANCIS REVEALS

Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, April 19, 2005.

After being elected by the conclave cardinals on April 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI, German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, appears in St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican.
(ARTURO MARI/AFP via Getty Images

Ratzinger was inspired to become a priest at an early stage when he was assigned to present flowers to Archbishop Michael von Faulhaber, of Munich. Seeing the clergyman’s crimson robes and refined demeanor, the five-year-old Ratzinger declared he would become a cardinal. 

“It was the way the cardinal looked, his bearing, and the knickerbockers he was wearing that made such an impression on him,” Benedict was interviewed by the New York Times once. 

Ratzinger, at the age of 14 years old, was required by law to join the Hitler Youth along with all other German children his age. Ratzinger resented the organization and became horrified after his cousin, who suffered from Down’s syndrome, was abducted and killed by the government as part of their Aktion T4 campaign. 

A photo taken in 1943 during World War II shows Joseph Ratzinger as a German Air Force assistant. 

Photograph taken in 1943 during World War II. Joseph Ratzinger is seen as an assistant to the German Air Force. 
(STF/AFP via Getty Images

RETIRED POPE BENEDICT SAYS HE IS IN LAST PHASE OF LIFE, ON ‘PILGRIMAGE HOME’

Ratzinger entered seminary but was drafted into anti-aircraft corps in 1943, and then into the regular army during World War II. He left the German military in 1945.  

According to a 1993 interview with Time Magazine, Benedict stated that he left the military because he saw the horrors of war. This included the death camps for Jews in Hungary. 

He was captured by American forces, held prisoner of war for several months, before he returned to Germany with his brother Georg. 

A photo taken during the summer 1952 near Ruhpolding, shows German priest Joseph Ratzinger (C) praying during an open-air mass. 

Photo taken in summer 1952 near Ruhpolding. It shows Joseph Ratzinger (C), a German priest, praying during an open air mass. 
(AFP via Getty Images).

EMERITUS POPE BENEDICT’S BROTHER GEORG RATZINGER DIES AT 96

Ratzinger and his brother were ordained on the same day in 1951, receiving Holy Orders from the same cardinal who had inspired Benedict’s decision to enter the priesthood as a child. 

His outstanding work in Christology and theology saw him be promoted to Archbishop at Munich and Freising in May 1977. He was promoted quickly to cardinal in June 1977 by Pope Paul VI. 

Cardinal Ratzinger was a Catholic icon because of his prolific writing and intense scholarship.  

POPE BENEDICT LAMBASTES GODLESS MODERN SOCIETIES

His bibliography — volumes of works that span from his earliest years of the priesthood through his papacy and beyond — includes encyclicals on morality, explorations of the life of Jesus, and retrospective looks at church history. 

His most important early contribution was probably the founding of Theological Journal. CommunioThe journal was a major source of Catholic thought in the country. 

Five new cardinals created by the Pope at the Vatican, 27th June 1977. From left to right, they are Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany (later Pope Benedict XVI), Cardinal Giovanni Benelli, the former Vatican Under-Secretary of State, Cardinal Bernardin Gantin of Benin, Cardinal Frantisek Tomasek of Prague, and Cardinal Mario Luigi Ciappi, a Vatican theologian. 

Five new cardinals were established by the Pope in Rome on the 27th of June 1977. They are, from left to right: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), Cardinal Giovanni Benelli, former Vatican Under-Secretary, Cardinal Bernardin Gantin in Benin, and Cardinal Frantisek Tomasek of Prague. 
(Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

He also served as a cardinal in undergrad, and was one of the early pioneers to tackle the problem of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Pope St. John Paul II.  

POPE BENEDICT XVI BEATIFIES POPE JOHN PAUL II

Cardinal Ratzinger convinced the pope that individual dioceses would no longer have authority over abuse claims. Instead, jurisdiction was given to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 

With John Paul II’s attention, Benedict oversaw the radical transformation of abuse cases and personally pushed for investigations into multiple prelates later prosecuted or forced to resign. 

Pope John Paul II, seated at a table in the Old Consistorial Hall, signs the new Roman Catholic Code of Canon Law during a ceremony at the Vatican 1/25; in center West German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, and at right Venezuelan Archbishop Rosalio Jose Castillo Lara, Chairman of the Vatican commission that has been revising the code for the last two decades. The new Code of Canon Law is a more streamlined set of Church law that retains automatic excommunication for abortion and makes marriage annulments more complex.

Pope John Paul II is seen signing the new Roman Catholic Code of Canon Law at the Vatican 1/25. In center, West German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and to the right, the Venezuelan Archbishop Rosalio José Castillo Lara are the Chairman of the Vatican Commission that has been revising this code for the past two decades. The new Code of Canon Law, which retains the automatic excommunication of abortion and makes it more difficult to annul marriages, is a simplified set of Church law.
(Bettmann/Getty Images)

However, critics of Benedict claim While Archbishop of Munich, he failed in his duty to take action on four cases involving abuse. Benedict apologised for the failures of his archdiocesan leadership but strongly denied any cooperation in ignoring abuse till his death.

RETIRED POPE BENEDICT XVI ASKS FOR FORGIVENESS OVER HANDLING OF CLERGY SEX ABUSE CASES, BUT DENIES WRONGDOING

2005 saw Benedict elected to the papacy. Later, he claimed that he had prayed for his selection during the conclave, but was forced to accept that God was calling him to greater service. 

Benedict was criticised for blaming the string of clergy sex-abuse scandals on 1960’s sexual revolution, homosexual acceptance, and widespread access of pornography. These radical socio-sexual changes in the culture and landscape of seminaries set the stage for decades worth of abuse, he argued. 

RETIRED POPE BENEDICT WEIGHS IN CATHOLIC CHURCH SEX ABUSE SCANDALS, BLAMES IT ON THE SWINGING 60’S

Pope Benedict XVI shows the gospel as he celebrates a mass with newly appointed cardinals at St. Peter's Basilica, on Feb. 19, 2012, in Vatican City, Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI shares the gospel during a Mass celebrated at St. Peter’s Basilica with newly-appointed cardinals, Feb. 19, 2012 in Vatican City.
(Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Benedict was well-known for his taste in pontifical fashion. The pope regularly donned intricate and ornate vestments for mass — some historical, some bespoken. The mozzetta, a red-and-white fur mantle, the camauro (a fluffy winter cap), and the leather papal boots were all resurrected by him. 

POPE BENEDICT XVI LIVIN’ LARGE IN KANGAROO SHOES

His focus on beautiful worship clothes earned him the moniker “The Pope of Aesthetics.” He did not forego the papal tiara, as he had done so with his predecessors. 

Benedict’s theology grew directly out of his predecessors, emphasizing both the rigidity of the church’s doctrine but pushing for an evolution in structure and mentality. 

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (1927) Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1981 to 2005. , June 20, 1990. 

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (1927), Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1981 to 2005. 
(Edoardo Fornaciari/Getty Images)

POPE BENEDICT EXONERATES JEWS FOR JESUS’S DEATH IN NEW BOOK

Benedict advocated for greater cooperation between the Catholic Church, other religions, and most importantly Islam and Judaism. He advocated greater understanding and reconciliation between Protestant churches, despite his firm rejection of Protestantism. 

The pope saw Christianity as a logical reality, which could be slowly understood and studied piece by piece. The Theory of Evolution was approved by him. He reminded Catholics that science is not in conflict with religion and Genesis was not considered an easy text by early Christian communities. 

POPE BENEDICT: GOD RESPONSIBLE FOR BIG BANG AND UNIVERSE CREATION

Writings by Benedict throughout his papacy emphasized belief in the dual natures of Jesus Christ — human and divine — and the historicity of the messiah’s life. 

Benedict, 85 years old and resigning from his post in February 2013, was the first pope to do so in many centuries. 

Pope Benedict XVI gives Christmas Night Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 24, 2009, in Vatican City, Vatican. 

Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Christmas Night Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on December 24, 2009, Vatican City. 
(Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

“I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise [of the pontificate],” He spoke that same time. 

After a brief Conclave, the College of Cardinals elected Pope Francis as Benedict’s replacement in the same year. 

POPE BENEDICT XVI GIVES FINAL ADDRESS AT THE VATICAN

From Pope Francis’s ascension onward, the former pontiff went by the title “Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” But, per canon law he had no authority over the church.

A small, but vocal group of Catholics refused to accept the resignation of Pope emeritus. 

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his departure at Munich Airport in Freising, Germany. 

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Munich Airport in Freising to depart. 
(Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)

Small enclaves of hyper-traditionalist Catholics held to the belief that Benedict’s resignation was in some way illegitimate or coerced. Many believed Francis was an antipope. Others claimed Benedict was secretly the true pope.  

These were often criticized by Benedict. “sedevacantist” groups — begging them to accept that his resignation was his own choice and one that he did not regret. 

POPE BENEDICT XVI GIVES FAREWELL TO CARDINALS, PROMISES OBEDIENCE TO SUCCESSOR

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI speaks with Pope Francis during a papal mass for elderly people at St Peter's square on Sept. 28, 2014 at the Vatican.

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI speaks to Pope Francis during a papal service for the elderly held at St Peter’s square, Sept. 28, 2014.
(TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images

Pope Francis is a strong supporter of Benedict. He has also spoken highly of Benedict’s predecessor as both a priest and theologian. 

Both of them have been photographed frequently together, often attending events or celebrating holy days. The popes often prayed together and Benedict was kind enough to speak approvingly about his successor in rare interviews. 

Benedict even attended Pope Francis’s ceremony appointing 19 new cardinals in 2014. 

After his retirement, Benedict lived at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery of Vatican City where he continued writing and praying until his death. 

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On June 29, 2021, Benedict celebrated the Platinum Jubilee — 70th anniversary — of his ordination into the priesthood. 

Pope Francis, asked in 2022 if he would resign in the event he was incapable of fulfilling his role, lauded Benedict’s decision, calling his abdication “a great example” of how to address popes’ longevity in the modern age. 

This report was compiled by the Associated Press.


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