Benediktas XVI

Benediktas XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, was the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 until his resignation in 2013, becoming the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years. Known for his theological conservatism and emphasis on traditional Catholic doctrine, he served as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prior to his papacy. His tenure was marked by significant challenges, including the global sexual abuse crisis within the Church and increasing secularism in the West. After stepping down, he took the title Pope Emeritus and lived in the Vatican until his death on December 31, 2022, continuing to influence Catholic thought and practice.