Joseph Alois Ratzinger

Joseph Alois Ratzinger, also known as Pope Benedict XVI, served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 until his resignation in 2013. He was the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years, citing health reasons. His papacy was marked by efforts to address the Church's sexual abuse scandals and promote interfaith dialogue, but he also faced criticism for his conservative views on various social issues. Ratzinger was a prominent theologian prior to his papacy and is known for his intellectual contributions to Catholic doctrine.