Retired Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95
ROME — Pope Benedict XVI, the first pontiff to step down since the 15th century, died on Saturday in Vatican City at age 95.
For several days, he had experienced declining health due to his advanced age, the Vatican press office said, with Pope Francis publicly sharing news of Benedict's worsening condition earlier this week.
Pope Francis will preside over Benedict's funeral on Thursday at St. Peter's Square, the Vatican said.
https://www.npr.org/2022/12/31/89852425 ... t-xvi-dies
RIP Pope Benedict XVI
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RIP Pope Benedict XVI
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Re: RIP Pope Benedict XVI
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was born in Germany in 1927. Although his devout family was anti-Nazi, he was forced to join Hitler Youth, and he was drafted into the German army during World War II. For most of his life, he lived in Rome and served in increasingly important posts in the Vatican Curia. He became a cardinal in 1977. From 1981 to 2005, he was Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, leading the organization that monitors adherence to Catholic doctrine. He was called “God’s Rottweiler” because of his strict enforcement of Church discipline.
Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. His papacy continued many traditions established by his predecessor Pope John Paul II.
As the first German-born pope since World War II, his interactions with the Jewish people was the focus of attention. He continued on the path laid out by John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II, visiting synagogues and the Holy Land. He promoted ecumenical dialogue with Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Benedict’s relationship with the Muslim world were more fraught. As a theologian, he criticized revered Muslims including Mohammed. He tried to mend relations as Pope by visiting mosques and meeting Muslim clerics.
During his papacy, the Vatican was rocked by scandals including the Vatican Bank and sex abuse. Benedict realized that the Curia needed drastic reform, and a younger Pontiff with fewer ties to the Vatican bureaucracy should lead the effort. He wisely retired in 2013 and spent the rest of his life in prayer, scholarship and behind-the-scenes guidance to Pope Francis.
Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. His papacy continued many traditions established by his predecessor Pope John Paul II.
As the first German-born pope since World War II, his interactions with the Jewish people was the focus of attention. He continued on the path laid out by John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II, visiting synagogues and the Holy Land. He promoted ecumenical dialogue with Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Benedict’s relationship with the Muslim world were more fraught. As a theologian, he criticized revered Muslims including Mohammed. He tried to mend relations as Pope by visiting mosques and meeting Muslim clerics.
During his papacy, the Vatican was rocked by scandals including the Vatican Bank and sex abuse. Benedict realized that the Curia needed drastic reform, and a younger Pontiff with fewer ties to the Vatican bureaucracy should lead the effort. He wisely retired in 2013 and spent the rest of his life in prayer, scholarship and behind-the-scenes guidance to Pope Francis.
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