Answer: Pope Benedict's father, Josef Ratzinger Sr, was a police officer who held strong anti-Nazi views which created problems for his family, forcing them to move regularly. He was also a devout Roman Catholic, and objected to local officials wanting to adopt various pagan customs which were thought to be in accordance with Nazi tradition. Josef Ratzinger retired in 1937 at the age of sixty, and both he and his wife Maria survived the war.

His son, Josef Aloisius Ratzinger, quickly rose through the ranks to become Pope Benedict XVI.

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the Father of Pope Benedict XVI'
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Pope Benedict XVI
Ordination as a Priest 1951
Installation as Bishop 1977

Installation as Cardinal 1981
Installation as Pope 2005
1474-1477 (2011)