“If you follow the will of God, you know that in spite of all the terrible things that happen to you, you will never lose a final refuge. You know that the foundation of the world is love, so that even when no human being can or will help you, you may go on, trusting in the One that loves you.”
― Pope Benedict XVI
“Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed. Each of us is loved. Each of us is necessary.”
― Pope Benedict XVI
“The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness”
― Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died.
His passing was announced this morning by the Vatican Press Office.
On Wednesday, December 28, pope emeritus received the anointing of the sick.
Pope Francis will preside at Benedict XVI’s funeral on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 9:30 am in St. Peter’s Square. From Monday, January 2, the funeral chapel will be open in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Following his June 29, 2021, Angelus commentary, Pope Francis talked with fondness of the Pope Emeritus:
“And today marks an anniversary that touches the hearts of us all: 70 years ago, Pope Benedict was ordained a priest. [Applause] To you, Benedict, dear father, and brother go our affection, our gratitude, and our closeness. He lives in the monastery, a place intended to house the contemplative communities here in the Vatican so that they could pray for the Church. He is now the contemplative of the Vatican, who spends his life praying for the Church and for the diocese of Rome, of which he is bishop emeritus. Thank you, Benedict, dear father, and brother. Thank you for your credible witness. Thank you for your gaze, constantly directed towards the horizon of God: thank you!”
Joseph Ratzinger, who would become Pope Benedict XVI, was born on April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, Germany.
His father, a police officer, came from a traditional family of farmers from Lower Bavaria. He spent his adolescent years in Traunstein, a small town on the Austrian border.
It was in this context, which Pope Benedict XVI himself has described as “Mozartian”, that he received his Christian, human, and cultural formation.
Second World War
Joseph’s days of youth were far from easy.
His faith and family upbringing prepared him for the harsh experience of the problems connected with the Nazi regime. He witnessed his parish priest being beaten by Nazis before celebrating Holy Mass so he was well aware of the fiercely hostile atmosphere to the Catholic Church that existed in Germany at the time.
Towards the end of World War II, Joseph was enrolled in the auxiliary anti-aircraft service.
Priest, professor, Vatican Council
From 1946 to 1951, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at the higher school in Freising. Together with his brother Georg, he was ordained a priest on June 29, 1951, in the Cathedral at Freising.
In 1953, Fr Ratzinger obtained a doctorate in theology with a thesis entitled: “The People and House of God in St Augustine’s doctrine of the Church”.
Four years later, he qualified as a university professor. He then taught dogma and fundamental theology at the higher school of philosophy and theology of Freising; then in Bonn from 1959 to 1969; in Münster from 1963 to 1966; and in Tübingen from 1966 to 1969.
Beginning in 1969, he was a professor of dogmatic theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg, where he eventually became Dean and Vice-Rector.
From 1962 to 1965 he was present during all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council as a chief theological advisor to the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Josef Frings.
A “theological’ vocation
Fr Ratzinger’s important and useful experience as a priest and an “expert” at the Second Vatican Council was immensely valuable and fundamental to his life. He lived out this experience as confirmation of his own vocation, which he defined as “theological”.
The rapid succession of his numerous, detailed publications has also continued as the years have passed, serving as a reference point for Catholics and especially for those involved in advanced theological studies.
“Fellow Worker in the Truth’
On March 24, 1977, Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of München und Freising (Munich and Freising).
He was ordained a Bishop on May 28 that same year and was the first diocesan priest in 80 years to take on the pastoral governance of this large Bavarian Diocese. He chose as his episcopal motto: “Fellow Worker in the Truth” (cf. III Jn 1: 8).
He was created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in the Consistory of June 27, 1977. He was named Cardinal Priest for St. Mary the Consoler at Tiburtino (Italian: Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino), a Roman Catholic titular parish church in Rome. It is located in Piazza Santa Maria Consolatrice, within the quartiere Tiburtino. He later received the Titles of the Suburbicarian Church of Velletri-Segni (April 5, 1993) and Suburbicarian Church of Ostia (November 30, 2002).
On November 25, 1981, he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He also became President of the Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission.
On February 15, 1982, he resigned his pastoral office as Archbishop of Munich and Freising.
“Catechism of the Catholic Church’
His role as President of the Commission for Drafting the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the six years of intense work (1986-92) behind its preparation are one of his many outstanding achievements.
On November 6, 1998, he was appointed Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals; on November 30. 2002, the Holy Father approved his election, by the order of Cardinal Bishops, as Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Within the Roman Curia
Until his election to the Chair of Peter Cardinal Ratzinger was a Member of the Council of the Second Section of the Secretariat of State; of the Congregations: for the Oriental Churches, for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, for Bishops, for the Evangelization of Peoples, for Catholic Education, as well as for the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.
As Dean of the College of Cardinals he presided over the College’s deliberations during the Vacancy of the Holy See following the death of Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005.
On Friday, April 8, Cardinal Ratzinger presided at Holy Mass in St Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
“Habemus Papam”
On Tuesday, April 19, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, selecting the name Benedict XVI.
Benedict XVI Authored Three Encyclicals:
Deus caritas est (December 25, 2005) – On Christian Love
Spe salvi (November 30, 2007) – On Christi Hope
Caritas in veritate (June 29, 2009) – On Integral Human Development
In Charity And Truth
Other Writing
In addition to his Papal letter, exhortations, message, and homilies, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI authored more than 60 books, including the widely read and highly praised three-volume “Jesus of Nazareth” series on the life and teaching of Christ.
