Pope Benedict XVI

Popes thoughts on
Faith "Having a clear faith, based on the creed of the church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism... Whereas relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and 'swept along by every wind of teaching,' looks like the only attitude acceptable to today's standards.

"We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires."
- from a homily Cardinal Ratzinger delivered at Mass hours before the beginning of the conclave that would elect him pope, April 18, 2005

Popes thoughts on
Islam "It is true that the Muslim world is not totally mistaken when it reproaches the West of Christian tradition of moral decadence and the manipulation of human life ... Islam has also had moments of great splendor and decadence in the course of its history." - from "Ratzinger denies Christianity 'superior' to Islam," Zenit.org via Catholic News, March 6, 2002

Popes thoughts on
Judaism "That the Jews are connected with God in a special way and that God does not allow that bond to fail is entirely obvious. We wait for the instant in which Israel will say yes to Christ, but we know that it has a special mission in history now ... which is significant for the world." - from Ratzinger's book, "God and the World," published October 2000, as reported by National Catholic Reporter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Our Christian conviction is that Christ is also the messiah of Israel. Certainly it is in the hands of God how and when the unification of Jews and Christians into the people of God will take place." - from "God and the World," published October 2000, as reported by National Catholic Reporter

 Women In The Priesthood "The fact that the church is convinced of not having the right to confer priestly ordination on women is now considered by some as irreconcilable with the European Constitution." - from Zenit.org, April 11, 2005

Sex Abuse Scandal "In the Church, priests also are sinners. But I am personally convinced that the constant presence in the press of the sins of Catholic priests, especially in the United States, is a planned campaign, as the percentage of these offenses among priests is not higher than in other categories, and perhaps it is even lower. "In the United States, there is constant news on this topic, but less than 1 percent of priests are guilty of acts of this type. The constant presence of these news items does not correspond to the objectivity of the information nor to the statistical objectivity of the facts." - from "Cardinal Ratzinger Sees a Media Campaign Against Church," Zenit.org, December 3, 2002 "I think the essential point is a weakness of faith." - from an interview with EWTN news director Raymond Arroyo in August 2003 as reported by Zenit.org, Aug. 24, 2003

Celibacy

"We have such difficulty understanding this renunciation today because the relationship to marriage and children has clearly shifted. To have to die without children was once synonymous with a useless life: the echoes of my own life die away, and I am completely dead. If I have children, then I continue to live in them; it's a sort of immortality through posterity... "The renunciation of marriage and family is thus to be understood in terms of this vision: I renounce what, humanly speaking, is not only the most normal but also the most important thing. I forego bringing forth further life on the tree of life, and I live in the faith that my land is really God - and so I make it easier for others, also, to believe that there is a kingdom of heaven. I bear witness to Jesus Christ, to the gospel, not only with words, but also with this specific mode of existence, and I place my life in this form at his disposal."
- from "Salt of the Earth: Christianity and the Catholic Church at the end of the Millennium: An interview with Peter Seewald," by Ratzinger, San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997

 Homosexuality "Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered to an intrinsic moral evil, and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder..."
"It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the church's pastors wherever it occurs... The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in work, in action and in law." - from Cardinal Ratzinger's "Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons," 1986, as reported by National Catholic Reporter

Road To The Papacy Here are some key dates in the life of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, who was elected the new pope and chose the name Pope Benedict XVI.

April 16, 1927

Joseph Ratzinger is born in Marktl am Inn, Germany, the son of a policeman.

1929 Family moves to the town of Tittmoning. 1932 His family moves to Traunstein after his father has conflicts with local Nazi Party supporters in Tittmoning

 1941 Enrolls against his will in Hitler Youth. He is dismissed shortly afterward because of his intention to study for the priesthood. 1943 Drafted as a helper for an anti-aircraft unit, he serves in a battery defending a BMW plant. Sept. 10, 1944 He is dismissed from his unit, but returns home to find a draft notice for forced labor. Sept. 20, 1944 Leaves home to dig anti-tank trenches.

Nov. 20, 1944 Released from the labor force, he returns home, only to receive an army draft notice three weeks later. April-May 1945 Deserts from the army and returns home. Ratzinger is captured by Americans as the war ends. June 19, 1945 Released from a U.S. POW camp, he hitchhikes home on a milk truck. November 1945 Begins studying for the priesthood in Friesing Nov. 20, 1944 Released from the labor force, he returns home, only to receive an army draft notice three weeks later. April-May 1945 Deserts from the army and returns home. Ratzinger is captured by Americans as the war ends. June 19, 1945 Released from a U.S. POW camp, he hitchhikes home on a milk truck. November 1945 Begins studying for the priesthood in Friesing

1969 Leaves the University of Tuebingen, concerned about student unrest which had interrupted his lectures with sit-ins. Takes teaching job in Regensburg in native Bavaria, near his brother.

March 24, 1977 Is named archbishop of Munich and exactly two months later, is ordained a bishop. June 27, 1977

Is ordained a cardinal and is appointed cardinal-priest of S. Marie Consolatrice al Tiburtino. Nov. 25, 1981 Is appointed president of International Theological Commission, Prefect of Doctrine of the Faith, and President of Pontifical Biblical Commission, Roman Curia.

April 5, 1993
Is appointed cardinal-bishop of Velletri-Segni. Nov. 30, 2002 Is appointed cardinal-bishop of Ostia.

April 5, 2005

After the death of Pope John Paul II, he resigns as Prefect of Doctrine of the Faith and President of Pontifical Biblical Commission, Roman Curia.

April 19, 2005

Is elected pope by his fellow cardinals, and takes the name Benedict

April 24, 2005 Is installed as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Aug. 18, 2005 Arrives in Germany for his first foreign trip as pope, to visit World Youth Day, where as many as a million people from 184 countries were expected by the time Benedict celebrates a closing Mass Aug. 21. Nov. 29, 2005

In the first major ruling of Benedict's reign, the Vatican imposes restrictions on homosexuals entering the Catholic priesthood, saying men must first overcome any "transitory" gay tendencies.
Dec. 25, 2005

Benedict, in his first "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message and blessing, urges humanity to unite against terrorism, poverty and environmental blight and calls for a "new world order" to correct economic imbalances

 Jan. 8, 2006

Benedict performs the first baptisms of his pontificate, using the occasion to launch an impassioned denunciation of irresponsible sex and a "culture of death." Jan. 9, 2006
The Pope makes his first "state of the world" address, a traditional new year speech to diplomats at the Holy See, and warns of a clash of civilisations caused by the "moral perversion" of terrorism. He urges cuts in arms spending. Jan. 12, 2006 Pope Benedict, speaking out on hot topics that will figure in campaigning for the coming Italian general election, condemns gay marriage and "abortion pills". Jan. 25, 2006 Pope releases first encyclical, called "Deus Caritas Est" (God is Love

Feb. 22, 2006 Pope Benedict names 15 new members of the college of cardinals, the body that helps run the Roman Catholic Church and will one day elect a new pontiff. March 23, 2006

Pope Benedict convenes the College of Cardinals for the first time since his election, inviting its members to share their concerns about the challenges facing the Catholic Church before adding 15 new members to their ranks.
Sept. 12, 2006

During a visit to his native Germany, Benedict sparks protests from the Muslim world after a speech he gave which Muslims said portrayed Islam as a religion tainted by violence and irrationality. Days later, the Pope says he was "deeply sorry" about the reaction and that medieval quotes he used on holy war did not reflect his personal views. Nov. 12, 2007
It is announced that Pope Benedict is planning to make his first visit to the U.S. as pontiff next year. Officials say he plans to travel to Washington and New York, with visits to the White House, ground zero and the United Nations headquarters during the trip scheduled for April 15-20, 2008.

March 23, 2006

Pope Benedict convenes the College of Cardinals for the first time since his election, inviting its members to share their concerns about the challenges facing the Catholic Church before adding 15 new members to their ranks. Sept. 12, 2006 During a visit to his native Germany, Benedict sparks protests from the Muslim world after a speech he gave which Muslims said portrayed Islam as a religion tainted by violence and irrationality. Days later, the Pope says he was "deeply sorry" about the reaction and that medieval quotes he used on holy war did not reflect his personal views. Nov. 12, 2007 It is announced that Pope Benedict is planning to make his first visit to the U.S. as pontiff next year. Officials say he plans to travel to Washington and New York, with visits to the White House, ground zero and the United Nations headquarters during the trip scheduled for April 15-20, 2008.

Benedict's Papacy In Pictures

Benedict's Papacy In Pictures

Pope Visits The Holy Land Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by an Israeli Bedouin sheik and a Greek Orthodox clergyman during an official departure ceremony at Ben Gurion airport Friday, May 15, 2009

 Pope Visits The Holy Land

Pope Benedict XVI stands in front of the Stone of Anointing, where Christians believe the body of Jesus was prepared for burial, in the Church of Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, May 15, 2009. The pope is on the last day of a Holy Land pilgrimage meant to promote peace and unity in the Middle East.

Pope Visits The Holy Land

Pope Benedict XVI, center, during the Papal Mass in the Kidron Valley in Jerusalem, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Pope urged both sides of the Israeli/Palestinean conflict to engage in "a sincere dialogue aimed at building a world of justice and peace."

Pope Visits Turkey

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the photographers at Ataturk's Mausoleum in Ankara, Tuesday Nov. 28, 2006. The Pope began his trip to Turkey with a message of dialogue and "brotherhood" between Christians and Muslims in an attempt to ease anger over his perceived criticism of Islam.

Pope Visits The Middle East

Pope Benedict XVI, center, arrives at the International Stadium of Amman to celebrate Holy Mass, Sunday, May 10, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday urged Middle East Christians to persevere in their faith despite hardships threatening the existence of their ancient communities.

Weekend In New York

Survivors and family members of those killed at the World Trade Center received blessings from Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Ground Zero on Sunday, April 20, 2008.

Weekend In New York

Pope Benedict XVI, left, walks the edge of the stage after conducting Mass Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Yankee Stadium in New York.

 On The World's Stage Pope Benedict XVI addresses the General Assembly Friday, April 18, 2008, at the United Nations.

Visists Washington
Washington Mass

Pope Benedict XVI greets faithful upon his arrival at Washington Nationals Park in Washington, Thursday, April 17, 2008, to celebrate an open-air Mass.

Benedict and the bishops

Pope Benedict XVI speaks in the Crypt at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to the bishops of the United States in Washington, Wednesday, April 16, 2008.