Answer: On April 18, 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 264th successor of Saint Peter and chose the name Benedict XVI. His papacy testifies to both a scholarly churchman, having extensively studied theology and philosophy, and pastoral sensitivity. When elected pope at age 78, he didn't anticipate traveling the globe given his age and health, but quickly realized that the best way to reach the people of God was to go to them. On February 28, 2013, Pope Benedict announced his resignation, becoming the first pope in almost 600 years to resign from the papacy.

CLICK HERE for a short
'Biography of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI'
on Vatican.va

BEGINNING OF THE PAPACY OF BENEDICT XVI POSTCARDS
(Various images of Pope Benedict XVI)


P158-P160 (2005)