Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), was born at Marktl am Inn, Diocese of Passau (Germany) on 16 April 1927 (Holy Saturday) and was baptized on the same day. His father, a policeman, belonged to an old family of farmers from Lower Bavaria of modest economic resources. His mother was the daughter of artisans from Rimsting on the shore of Lake Chiem.
His younger years were not easy due to Nazi's being in power in Germany. His faith and the education received at home prepared him for the harsh experience of those years during which the Nazi regime pursued a hostile attitude towards the Catholic Church. The young Joseph saw how some Nazis beat the Parish Priest before the celebration of Mass.
At the age of 14, as with all youth of his age in Nazi Germany, he was required to join the Hitler Youth, but, never attended any meetings. In 1943, at the age of 16 he was drafted into the auxiliary anti-aircraft service, but, never fired a shot. In 1944 he was was released from the unit, but immediately drafted into a forced labor gang, forced to dig anti-tank trenches. After a few months he was released, but, was almost immediately drafted into the regular army. He deserted soon after completing basic training, was captured by Americans and held in a prisoner of war camp.
He studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at Freising from 1946-1951. He, along with his brother Georg was ordained in June 1951. He became a professor at the University of Bonn in 1959; In 1963 he moved to the University of Muenster, where his inaugural lecture was given in a packed lecture hall, as he was already well known as a theologian. At the Second Vatican Council in 1962 he served as a ''peritus'' or theological consultant to Josef Cardinal Frings of Cologne, Germany, and has continued to defend the council, including ''Nostra Aetate,'' the document on respect of other religions and the declaration of the right to religious freedom. He was viewed during the time of the council as a reformer. He worked with the theologian Hans Kung, but when he saw that the liberals were approaching Marxism, Joseph Ratzinger became a firm traditionalist.
He became Archbishop of Munich and Freising on 28 May 1977. He was made cardinal on 27 June 1977 by Pope Paul VI. (By the time of the 2005 Conclave, he was one of only 14 remaining cardinals appointed by Pope Paul VI, and one of only three of those under the age of 80 and thus eligible to participate in that conclave.)He was Relator of the Fifth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 1980. Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 25 November 1981. President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. President of the International Theological Commission. President Delegate to the Sixth Synodal Assembly of Bishops in 1983. President of the Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1986 to 1992). Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, 6 November 1998. Honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 13 November 2000. Dean of the College of Cardinals on 30 November 2002. As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Ratzinger usually took traditional views on topics such as birth control, homosexuality, and Ecumenism/inter-religious dialog.
After the death of Pope John Paul II, there was a good deal of speculation as to who would be the next Holy Father. Indeed, even before John Paul II's death
Piers Paul Read wrote in The Spectator on March 5, 2005:
There can be little doubt that his courageous promotion of orthodox Catholic teaching has earned him the respect of his fellow cardinals throughout the world. He is patently holy, highly intelligent and sees clearly what is at stake. Indeed, for those who blame the decline of Catholic practice in the developed world precisely on the propensity of many European bishops to hide their heads in the sand, a pope who confronts it may be just what is required. Ratzinger is no longer young—he is 78 years old: but Angelo Roncalli, who revolutionized Catholicism by calling the Second Vatican Council was almost the same age (76) when he became pope as John XXIII. As Jeff Israely, the correspondent of Time, was told by a Vatican insider last month, "The Ratzinger solution is definitely on."
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope on April 19, 2005, the second day of the Conclave after four ballots, becoming the 265th Pope. Interestingly, April 19 is also the feast day of Saint Pope Leo IX, a German Pope and Saint. His first words after appearing on the balcony were:
“Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord. The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with inadequate instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers. In the joy of the Risen Lord, let us move forward, confident of his unfailing help. The Lord will help us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you.”
His choice of the name Benedict is significant, and on April 27, 2005, he used his first General Audience as Pope to explain his choice:
"Filled with sentiments of awe and thanksgiving, I wish to speak of why I chose the name Benedict. Firstly, I remember Pope Benedict XV, that courageous prophet of peace, who guided the Church through turbulent times of war. In his footsteps I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples. Additionally, I recall Saint Benedict of Norcia, co-patron of Europe, whose life evokes the Christian roots of Europe. I ask him to help us all to hold firm to the centrality of Christ in our Christian life: May Christ always take first place in our thoughts and actions!"
May Our Lord Bless Pope Benedict XVI, and Our Lady keep him in Her care.
Copyright © 2005 Steve Smith. All rights reserved.
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