Joseph Kardinal Ratzinger Autograph

Profession:
Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus PP. XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger; 1927-2022) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013

Year of Birth: 1927

Joseph Kardinal Ratzinger, born on April 16, 1927 in Bavaria, Germany, is a prominent figure in the Catholic Church. He was ordained as a priest in 1951 and went on to become a professor of theology at several universities.

In 1977, Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising by Pope Paul VI. He later served as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Pope John Paul II.

Ratzinger was elected as the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church on April 19, 2005, taking on the name Pope Benedict XVI. He was known for his conservative views on social issues and his efforts to strengthen the church's teachings on moral and theological matters.

During his time as Pope, Benedict XVI made several controversial statements, including his opposition to same-sex marriage and his criticism of the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI surprised the world by announcing his resignation, becoming the first Pope to do so in over 700 years. He is now known as Pope Emeritus and lives a quiet life in retirement.

Throughout his career, Joseph Kardinal Ratzinger has been a respected theologian and leader in the Catholic Church, leaving a lasting impact on the faithful around the world.