Pope Benedict XVI Quotes
A collection of quotes by Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany, served as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. Before becoming Pope, he had an illustrious academic career as a theologian and professor.
Ratzinger was ordained as a priest in 1951 and earned his doctorate in theology in 1953. He taught at several universities, including the University of Bonn and the University of Tübingen, before being appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977. A few years later, he was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI.
In 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed Ratzinger to lead the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a position he held for over two decades. As Prefect of the CDF, he played a significant role in shaping the Catholic Church's doctrine and teachings.
Following the death of Pope John Paul II, Ratzinger was elected as his successor on April 19, 2005, and took the papal name Benedict XVI. During his pontificate, he focused on upholding traditional Catholic teachings, engaging in interfaith dialogue, and promoting Christian unity.
However, in an unexpected move, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation in 2013, becoming the first Pope to step down in almost 600 years. After his resignation, he retired to the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in Vatican City, where he dedicated his time to writing and contemplation.
