Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, served as a prominent theologian and head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith before his papacy. Known for his deep theological insights and conservative stance on church doctrines, he was elected pope in 2005 and led the Catholic Church until his resignation in 2013. Ratzinger's tenure was marked by efforts to address issues within the Church, including the sexual abuse crisis, while also fostering a dialogue between faith and reason.