Things You Did Not Know About The Late Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI, born as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, is a name that is known around the world. He served as the Pope from 2005 to 2013, and during his papacy, he became known for his strong stance on traditional Catholic teachings and his use of social media to communicate with Catholics around the world.

On 31 December 2022, Pope Benedict XVI died at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City at the age of 95. He had been pope emeritus since his resignation as the leader of the Catholic Church in 2013 due to ill health.

Benedict’s body lay in state in St. Peter’s Basilica from 2 to 4 January 2023, during which almost 200,000 mourners paid their respects. His funeral, presided over by Francis, took place in St. Peter’s Square on 5 January, and was attended by around 50,000 people.

However, there are still many things about Pope Benedict that many people may not know.

For starters, Pope Benedict was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl, Bavaria, Germany. This makes him the oldest Pope to be elected in the last 275 years. Pope Benedict was also a highly educated man, holding a Doctorate in Theology and a Doctorate in Philosophy. He was fluent in several languages, including German, Italian, French, English, and Latin.

During World War II, Pope Benedict served in the German military as an anti-aircraft helper. After the war, he began his studies in theology and was ordained a priest in 1951. He went on to hold several important positions within the Catholic Church, including serving as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1981 to 2005. In this role, he was responsible for safeguarding the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict was known for his strong stance on traditional Catholic teachings, including opposition to abortion, contraception, and same-sex marriage. He was also the first Pope to use social media, including Twitter, to communicate with Catholics around the world.

In 2013, Pope Benedict made history by becoming the first Pope to resign in nearly 600 years. Since then, he lived a relatively private life, but made occasional public appearances and statements on religious and social issues.

Overall, Pope Benedict XVI was a significant figure in the Catholic Church and his impact will continue to be felt for years to come.