Pope Benedict XVI

2022 - 12 - 30

Post cover — Image courtesy of "WJCT NEWS"

Retired Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95 (WJCT NEWS)

Born April 16, 1927, in Germany's Bavaria, Joseph Ratzinger was a theologian by training. Following the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, Ratzinger was ...

O'Connell of America magazine said that in Benedict's final remarks to the cardinals before leaving the Vatican, he said his successor was among them. The [pope emeritus acknowledged](https://www.npr.org/2022/02/09/1079655013/pope-benedict-xvi-apologizes-for-handling-of-sexual-abuse-cases-but-denies-wrong) abuses and errors had taken place when he was Munich archbishop. "Benedict XVI's decision to resign was a very radical interpretation of Vatican II," Faggioli said. The pope added that he learned to be more attentive to the Internet for information. "Because to be pope you are not the theologian-in-chief, you are the pastor-in-chief. He was During that time, one of his most controversial documents was " [Dominus Jesus](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000806_dominus-iesus_en.html)," which emphasized the primacy of the Catholic Church and branded non-Christian religions as "gravely deficient" — potentially undermining Vatican II achievements toward dialogue between Catholicism and other denominations and religions. In a 1986 document, he called homosexuality an "objective disorder and an Ratzinger was ordained a priest in 1951 and began his career teaching theology. In 1943, he was drafted into the military and served briefly in an anti-aircraft battalion. [interview book](https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/last-testament-9781472944672/)," O'Connell said, referring to Last Testament: In His Own Words. Ratzinger entered a seminary when he was 12.

Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95 (BBC News)

Benedict, who has died at his Vatican residence, became the first pope to resign for 600 years in 2013.

Like the rest of the Church we will always remember him," Annamaria told the BBC. This situation is unprecedented; there are no protocols to follow for what will happen now. In a statement he said: "I remember with particular affection the remarkable Papal Visit to these lands in 2010. What will happen now? "We came here to pray. The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said Pope Benedict was "one of the great theologians of the 20th century".

Pope Benedict XVI: A man at odds with the modern world who ... (The Conversation AU)

Pope Benedict XVI led the Catholic Church at a crucial time and had to confront a growing sexual abuse scandal.

[excommunication of bishops](http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20090310_remissione-scomunica.html) of the order of [St. Pius X bishop, [Richard Williamson](https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6806108&page=1), had made [antisemitic](https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101139679) comments and [denied the holocaust](https://abcnews.go.com/International/catholic-bishop-williamson-unrepentent-holocaust-denial/story?id=9717252). However, his official visits to [Beirut](https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-19615616/pope-benedict-xvi-holds-beirut-open-air-mass) and [Istanbul](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/29/world/europe/29pope.html) repaired some of the damage. [publicly downplayed](https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/will-ratzingers-past-trump-benedicts-present) the extent and seriousness of the crisis. He also [criticized](http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20100319_church-ireland.html) Irish bishops for their mishandling of the sexual abuse crisis. [Benedict of Nursia](https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/moversandshakers/benedict-of-nursia.html), the founder of Western monasticism, a religious movement that preserved Western culture after the fall of Rome. Most notable was the case of American priest and theologian [Charles Curran](https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/100/charles-curran-case), who was [fired](https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/charles-curran-retire-full-time-teaching) from [The Catholic University of America](https://www.catholic.edu/index.html) because he challenged official Catholic teachings on sexuality. Soon after, he was named a cardinal, a member of the [administrative body](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/cardinals/index.htm) that elects the pope. [Benedict would later reject](https://onepeterfive.com/benedict-xvi-admits-qualms-of-conscience-about-vatican-ii/) more progressive interpretations of the council as a revolutionary event that was intended to remake the Catholic Church. The [Second Vatican Council](https://www.npr.org/2012/10/10/162573716/why-is-vatican-ii-so-important) attempted to renew the Catholic Church by engaging the modern world more constructively. [deserted the German military](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ratzingers-wwii-experiences/) and was held as a prisoner of war by the Americans; he was released when World War II concluded. 31, 2022 at the age of 95](https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_01), was known for criticizing what he saw as the [modern world’s](https://angelusnews.com/arts-culture/in-new-biography-pope-benedict-says-world-threatened-by-humanism/) rejection of God and Christianity’s [timeless truths](https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/dictatorship-of-relativism-cardinal-ratzinger).

Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95 (Business Day)

Born Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict's time in office was marked by several scandals. He was the first pontiff to step down since Gregory XII in 1415.

Betrayed by his own butler, Benedict was forced to deal with the 2012 revelation of suspected dishonesty and political infighting in what became known as the Vatileaks scandal. In one of those cases, the report found, the future pope knowingly opened his archdiocese to a priest who had been convicted of sexual abuse in a criminal court. His comments on the Prophet Mohammed in a 2006 lecture sparked condemnation in Muslim countries, forcing Benedict to make several apologies. In 2010, Benedict said condom use could be justified in “single cases,” for example by sex workers, as a necessary “humanisation of sexuality.” Unsurprisingly, Benedict maintained the church’s orthodoxy on homosexuality, marriage for priests and an expanded role for women in the church. Yet he did review the church’s stance on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, adopting a more practical attitude. Under John Paul II, he had occupied one of the most important jobs in the church — defending Catholic doctrine and investigating crimes such as claims of sexual abuse. As a German cardinal then known as Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict XVI was elected as pope in 2005 following the death of John Paul II. On February 28 2013, Benedict became the first pontiff to step down since Gregory XII in 1415. There were allegations of sexual violence by Catholic clergy in Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, the US and elsewhere. Benedict XVI passed away at 9.34am on Saturday at his residence in the Vatican. Succeeding such a charismatic, revered pope — John Paul II was swiftly put on the path to sainthood — wasn’t going to be easy even under normal circumstances.

Former pope Benedict XVI is dead: Vatican (Eyewitness News)