Pope Benedict XVI has died.
The former Pontiff passed away at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery on the morning of December 31st 2022. He was 95 years old.
His successor, Pope Francis, had asked for prayers for Benedict just days ago, saying that his health was fragile.
Benedict XVI led the Catholic Church between April 2005 and March 2013. He stepped down for health reasons, becoming the first Pope to retire in over 500 years.
As Pope, he was an absolute monarch.
He made a State Visit to the United Kingdom in 2010 when he was welcomed, in Edinburgh by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. He made several visits to Spain during his Papacy including one in 2006 at the personal request of King Juan Carlos I.
Benedict XVI was born Joseph Ratzinger in Marktl, Bavaria on April 16th 1927. His early years were spent under the Nazi regime and in 1941 he was conscripted into the Hitler Youth then the military from which he deserted. He began training for the priesthood in 1945. He was ordained in 1951 and became Archbishop of Munich in 1977. The same year, he was made a Cardinal by Pope Pius VI.
He became a close adviser of Pope John Paull II and was elected as Pontiff following John Paul II’s death in April 2005. His eight years as Pontiff were controversial as allegations of clerical abuse were made around the world. Benedict was a renowned theologian and also promoted the use of Latin within the church as well as the reintroduction of more traditional vestments.
In February 2013, he surprised the world by announcing his intention to stand aside and he officially resigned on February 28th 2013. Since his abdication, he has lived in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery.
Pope Benedict XVI 1927 – 2022
