Jozef Ratzinger

Jozef Ratzinger, born on April 16, 1927, in Bavaria, Germany, is a prominent theologian and cleric who served as the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 until his resignation in 2013, adopting the papal name Benedict XVI. Known for his conservative theological views, Ratzinger previously held the position of Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, where he was influential in shaping church doctrine. His papacy was marked by a commitment to traditional Catholic teachings, as well as significant challenges including the sexual abuse crisis within the church. Following his resignation, he became the first pope in nearly 600 years to step down, later taking the title of Pope Emeritus. His extensive writings on theology, liturgy, and the nature of faith have left a lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

Born on Apr 16, 1927 (98 years old)