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Pope Benedict XVI arrives for the concluding Mass of the World Youth Day at the Marienfeld near Cologne in August 2005
Image: EPA/PIER PAOLO CITO/dpa/dpaweb/picture-allianceImage: EPA/PIER PAOLO CITO/dpa/dpaweb/picture-alliance

Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected head of the Catholic Church in 2005, and was Pope Benedict XVI until he retired in 2013. He stayed true to his conservative path throughout his papacy. He died on December 31, 2022.

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All Content on this topic

Pope Francis takes a question from a reporter aboard the papal plane

Pope Francis defends LGBT rights, Pope Benedict aboard plane

Returning from Africa, Pope Francis took umbrage with those who used Pope Benedict XVI's death to attack the church.
Human RightsFebruary 5, 2023
Beerdigung Papst Benedikt XVI

AfricaLink on Air — 05 January 2023

Faithful mourn Benedict XVI +++ Kenya's president Ruto vows to end extra-judicial killings by police
PoliticsJanuary 5, 202329:51 min
The coffin of former Pope Benedict is carried during his funeral, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, January 5, 2023.

Pope Benedict XVI honored at St. Peter's Square funeral

For the first time in centuries, a sitting pontiff is presiding over his predecessor's funeral.
ReligionJanuary 5, 2023
Vatikan Aufbahrung Papst Benedikt

Mourning Pope Benedict XVI: 'He was always like a father'

The body of Pope Benedict XVI rests in St. Peter’s Basilica. Mourners have different ways of saying goodbye.
ReligionJanuary 3, 2023
Several people line up to pay their respects to Pope Benedict at St. Peter's Basilica

Thousands pay tribute to late Pope Benedict at the Vatican

Mourners have begun paying their respects to the former pope, whose body will lie in state for the next three days.
ReligionJanuary 2, 2023
A worship for late Pope Benedict XVI at St. Oswald church in his birth place Marktl, southern Germany, on December 31, 2022

Germany mourns Pope Benedict XVI

Mourners gathered at Benedict's Bavarian birth village to pay respects to the first German pope in centuries.
ReligionDecember 31, 2022
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI raises his hand in blessing during a visit to Germany in 2011

Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95

The German-born pope emeritus, who was in poor health, passed away in a Vatican monastery.
ReligionDecember 31, 2022
Pope Benedict XVI at his final general audience before retirement

Benedict XVI shocked the Catholic Church

Benedict XVI was loved by some but reviled by others. He has died at the age of 95.
ReligionDecember 31, 2022
Pope Benedict XVI arrives for the concluding Mass of the World Youth Day at the Marienfeld near Cologne in 2005

Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was head of the Catholic Church from 2005 until he retired in 2013. He died on December 31.
ReligionDecember 28, 2022
In this 2015 file photo, former Pope Benedict XVI sits in a chair at St. Peter's basilica

Ex-Pope Benedict begs forgiveness from abuse victims

The retired German pontiff has apologized for any "grevious faults" in the way he dealt with sexual abuse in the Church.
ReligionFebruary 8, 2022
Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich and Freising, addresses reporters at a press conference.

Munich archbishop says 'Catholic Church must renew itself'

German Cardinal Reinhard Marx reacted to a damning report on decades of sexual abuse in his archdiocese.
SocietyJanuary 27, 2022
Pope Benedict as seen from behind, his head slightly bowed

The life of German Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was much respected in his home country of Germany, though criticism mounted in recent years.
ReligionJanuary 24, 202212 images
Pope Benedict XVI on visit to London in 2010

Ex-Pope Benedict XVI admits false statement in abuse probe

The former pope has admitted providing a false statement during a probe into sexual abuse in Germany's Catholic Church.
ReligionJanuary 24, 2022
Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

Pope Francis vows 'justice' for abuse victims

More needs to be done to enforce rules against perpetrators of sexual abuse, Pope Francis has said.
ReligionJanuary 21, 2022
Pope Benedict shakes hands with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx in 2011

Ex-Pope Benedict XVI failed to act in abuse cases — report

Former Pope Benedict XVI failed to take action against clerics accused of sexual abuse, a Munich Church report has said.
CrimeJanuary 20, 2022
Jesus, the "Messiah", nailed to the cross - detail from a painting by Michael Triegel (2001).

'Salvation' at the Leipzig Bach Festival

Some overseas die-hard fans have spared no expense to experience the music live in Germany.
CultureJune 14, 2021
Land art portrait of Beethoven by Dario Gambarin

Land art portraits: Ludwig van Beethoven and more

Artist Dario Gambarin has created a huge depiction of the composer Beethoven. Check out his other land art works.
CultureDecember 9, 20208 images
Pope John Paul II

Vatican report casts dark shadow on Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II promoted disgraced former US cardinal Theodore McCarrick for years despite reports of sexual abuse.
SocietyNovember 11, 2020
Georg Ratzinger

Georg Ratzinger: Ex-Pope Benedict's brother dies

Ratzinger had been struggling with ill-health and was visited last week by his younger brother, ex-pope Benedict XVI.
ReligionJuly 1, 2020
Ex-pope with his brother in 2004

Ex-pope visits ailing brother in Bavaria

The older sibling had been linked with abuse in the Regensburg boys' choir.
ReligionJune 18, 2020
Deutsche Welle Strack Christoph Portrait

The retired pope?

Christoph Strack
When he resigned in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI promised to "live hidden from the world" — but he won't remain silent.
ReligionJanuary 14, 2020
Pope Francis with Pope Benedict XVI

Ex-pope backtracks on criticism of new pope

The current pope is weighing whether to allow married men to be ordained.
ReligionJanuary 14, 2020
Former Pope Benedict XVI

Ex-Pope Benedict blames hippies for sex abuse

Ex-Pope Benedict XVI says the sexual revolution of the 1960s is to answer for child sex abuse in the Catholic Church.
ReligionApril 11, 2019
Pope Francis announces the naming of the cardinals

Pope Francis to nominate 14 new cardinals

Pope Francis made the surprise announcement in front of pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square.
ReligionMay 20, 2018
Georg Ratzinger interviewed in Regensburg on his brother becoming the pope in 2013

Ex-pope's brother sowed 'fear' in Regensburg

Georg Ratzinger established a "rule of fear" while leading the boys' choir in Regensburg, his successor claims.
CrimeJuly 20, 2017
Papst / Benedikt XVI. / Geburtstag

Former Pope Benedict XVI turns 90

Benedict XVI was regarded as aloof, conservative and transitional. Here are little known sides of the German pope.
CultureApril 13, 2017
Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd

Everything you probably didn't know about former Pope Benedict XVI as he turns 90

Benedict XVI was regarded as aloof, conservative and transitional. Here are little known sides of the German pope.
CultureApril 13, 201710 images
Vatikan Messe zum Ende des heiligen Jahres Papst Franziskus

Pope closes 'Holy Door' and 'Year of Mercy'

Pope Francis closes the Catholic Church's "Year of Mercy" by shutting the Holy Door at Saint Peter's Basilica.
ReligionNovember 20, 2016
Papst Benedikts letzter großer Auftritt

Ex-pope Benedict's struggle with celibacy

Joseph Ratzinger fell in love and struggled with the decision to become celibate, says biographer Peter Seewald.
September 8, 2016
Golf models at the VW-Museum, Copyright: VW-Museum Wolfsburg, Volkswagen, Golf

The Golf GTI celebrates its 40th birthday

Birthday of a cult classic: VW's Golf model turns 40
May 3, 20168 images
Vatikan Heiliges Jahr Papst Franziskus öffnet die Heilige Pforte

Pope Francis kicks off Holy Year

Pope Francis opened the "Holy Door" in the Vatican, launching an extraordinary Catholic jubilee year dedicated to mercy.
December 8, 2015
Pope Francis in Philadelphia

Pope Francis meets with sex abuse victims

Pope Francis announced that he has met with victims of the church sex abuse scandal.
September 27, 2015
Pope Francis, Vatikan

Pope Francis teases retirement

Francis says he could leave his job as pope after about three more years.
March 13, 2015
Amongst elderly, caucasian men wearing black robes and white caps, a man of African descent leans forward and peers right at the camera. (Photo: REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi)

Marta complex

Cardinals in charge of electing the new pope are sleeping at a cardinal-friendly hotel.
March 4, 2013
Cardinals of the Catholic Church enter the Sistine Chapel to begin deliberations to elect a new pope on April 18, 2005 at the Vatican, Vatican City. (Photo by Arturo Mari - Vatican Pool/ Getty Images)

Electing a new pope

Following the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI, Roman Catholic cardinals are shifting their focus to electing a replacement. However, it is still not clear precisely when a conclave to elect a new pope will begin.
March 1, 2013
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 28: People crowd the gallery on top of St Peter's Basilica as a helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI passes by on its way out of Vatican City on February 28, 2013 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Pope leaves the Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI is due to end his eight-year pontificate shortly and has left the Vatican. A day earlier he imparted his final blessing as he held his last general audience at the Vatican.
February 28, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful after arriving in St Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. The weekly event which would normally be held in a vast auditorium in winter, but has been moved outdoors to St. Peter's Square so more people can attend. The pope has two days left before he takes the historic step of becoming the first pontiff in some six centuries to step down instead of ruling for life. REUTERS/Max Rossi (VATICAN - Tags: RELIGION)

Cheers for Benedict

Pope Benedict XVI bid farewell before a huge, cheering crowd at St. Peter's Square.
February 27, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI waves from his Popemobile as he rides through a packed Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican during his last general audience, February 27, 2013. The weekly event which would normally be held in a vast auditorium in winter, but has been moved outdoors to St. Peter's Square so more people can attend. The pope has two days left before he takes the historic step of becoming the first pontiff in some six centuries to step down instead of ruling for life. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini (VATICAN - Tags: RELIGION)

Pope gives final blessing

Pope Benedict XVI has imparted his final blessing on crowds gathered at the Vatican to attend his final general audience. The event came on the eve of his resignation from the pontificate.
February 27, 2013
A Swiss guard stands at St Peter's square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI last weekly audience on February 27, 2013 at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI will hold the last audience of his pontificate in St Peter's Square on Wednesday on the eve of his historic resignation as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE,FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope gives final blessing

Crowds have gathered in St. Peter's Square to hear Pope Benedict XVI address the public one final time in a general audience. The occassion comes on the eve of his resignation.
February 27, 2013
Cardinals talk during a consistory at the Vatican (Photo: REUTERS/Osservatore Romano)

New pope elected sooner?

The Vatican has raised the possibility of moving forward the date for cardinals to elect Pope Benedict XVI's successor. A spokesman said the rules governing the date could be "interpreted differently."
February 16, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he takes place for his weekly general audience on February 13, 2013 at the Paul VI hall at the Vatican. AFP/Getty Images

Pope: 'pray for me'

Thousands have gathered to hear Pope Benedict XVI give his first public address since his surprise resignation. He told crowds he was stepping down for the "good of the church," asking that they "keep praying for him."
February 13, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI waves from the ship. (Photo: FRANCESCO SFORZA/AFP/Getty Images/DW)

Pope blames old age

Age, not a specific health condition, was the reason behind Pope Benedict XVI's decision to stand down as head of the Catholic Church, the Vatican has said, adding that he will play no role in choosing his successor.
February 12, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI attends a consistory at the Vatican February 11, 2013, in this picture provided by Osservatore Romano. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano (VATICAN - Tags: RELIGION) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A new pope by Easter

Following the surprising resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, thoughts have turned to who will take over as head of the Roman Catholic Church. A new Pope is expected to be in place by Easter.
February 12, 2013
BERLIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Pope Benedict XVI gives a historic speech at the Bundestag on September 22, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. This was the first occasion ever that a Pope has addressed the Bundestag in person. Pope Benedict, who is German, is in Berlin on the first of a four-day visit to Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Benedict XVI's legacy

The pope has resigned his post, leaving behind a Church rocked by scandal and internal crisis.
February 12, 2013

Africalink on Air - 11 February 2013

World stunned by decision of Pope Benedict XVI to resign+++Super Eagles and Nigerians celebrate Africa cup of Nations triumph+++Attackers kill three North Korean medical staff in northern Nigeria
February 11, 201324:57 min
A handout photo provided by the Vatican newspaper 'L'Osservatore Romano' on 12 December 2012 shows Pope Benedict XVI (L) for the first time publishing a post on the social platform service Twitter at the end of a general audience in the Paolo VI Hall at the Vatican, Vatican City, 12 December 2012.

Pope Benedict XVI steps down

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will resign from his post as head of the Roman Catholic Church. The 85-year-old pope cited his advancing years as the reason for the extremely uncommon decision.
February 11, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves after making a statement in the Chancellery in Berlin, February 11, 2013 (Photo: REUTERS/ Fabrizio Bensch)

Merkel hails Pope Benedict

Religious and political leaders have paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI after the German-born pontiff announced he would resign. Angela Merkel called him "one of the most significant religious thinkers of our time."
February 11, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves after making a statement in the Chancellery in Berlin, February 11, 2013, following the announcement of resignation of Pope Benedict. (Photo: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

Merkel hails Pope Benedict

Religious and political leaders have paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI, who announced on Monday that he would resign his position. Angela Merkel called him "one of the most significant religious thinkers of our time."
February 11, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI gives a historic speech at the Bundestag on Septe mber 22, 2011, in Berlin(Photo: Sean Gallup/ Getty Images)

The pope resigns

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will resign on February 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. Here is the text of his announcement, delivered to cardinals gathered for a ceremony to name three new saints.
February 11, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI waves during a mass conducted by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, for the 900th anniversary of the Order of the Knights of Malta at the St. Peter Basilica in Vatican February 9, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (VATICAN - Tags: RELIGION)

Pope Benedict XVI to resign

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign from his post as head of the Roman Catholic Church at the end of the month. The pope cited his advanced age as the reason for the decision.
February 11, 2013