What is Pope Benedict XVI doing now?
Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013, becoming the first pope to do so in 600 years. He has lived in a monastery in the Vatican City since then.
Why did pope Benedict Stop being the pope?
Citing advanced age as the reason for giving up his post as the leader of the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church, Benedict was the first pontiff to relinquish power in nearly 600 years. Two weeks after Benedict resigned, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected pope.
Why did pope Benedict the 16th Retire?
Benedict had said he was retiring to a lifetime of prayer because he no longer had the strength of body or mind to carry on the rigors and travel of the 21st-century papacy.
How long did pope Benedict serve?
Benedict XVI, original name Joseph Alois Ratzinger, (born April 16, 1927, Marktl am Inn, Germany), bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church (2005–13).
Why did Pope Francis step down?
Pope Francis, who has raised the possibility of retiring for reasons of declining health, has praised the humility of a 13th-century pontiff who was one of the few in history to step down rather than rule for life.
Who is Pope Francis wife?
Néstor Kirchner (2003–07) and his wife and successor, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (2007–15).
Does the pope get a salary?
The pope will not be affected by the cuts, because he does not receive a salary. “As an absolute monarch, he has everything at his disposal and nothing at his disposal,” Mr. Muolo said. “He doesn't need an income, because he has everything that he needs.”
Who was the longest serving pope?
Pope Pius IXPope Pius IX (Italian: Pio IX, Pio Nono; born Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti; 13 May 1792 – 7 February 1878) was head of the Catholic Church from 1846 to 1878, the longest verified papal reign.
Who is supposed to be the last pope?
This ancient prophecy, buried within the Vatican for centuries, suggests that Pope Francis, the latest in the holy line which stretches back nearly 2000 years, may be destined to be the last Pope.
Does the pope wear Prada shoes?
The article explained that the pope's shoes, like his range of flamboyant hats, are nothing to do with vanity but all to do with tradition. “The pope, in summary, does not wear Prada, but Christ,” it said. The article did not say who did make the shoes. Benedict's choice of garments has often been striking.
Who was the youngest pope in history?
Aged approximately 20 at his first election, he is one of the youngest popes in history....Pope Benedict IXChurchCatholic ChurchPredecessorJohn XIX (1032) Sylvester III (1045) Clement II (1047)SuccessorSylvester III (1044) Gregory VI (1045) Damasus II (1048)Personal details4 more rows
Why do the popes wear red shoes?
Throughout Church history, the color red has been deliberately chosen to represent the blood of Catholic martyrs spilt through the centuries following in the footsteps of Christ.
Who was the first pope to resign?
1045: Pope Benedict IX was the first pope to very clearly step down. (Earlier accounts are fuzzy, historically.) This Benedict was apparently quite a handful. His resignation was a business deal of sorts: he sold his seat for a large sum of money to the Archpriest John Gratain.
Who was the last pope to resign?
Benedict XVIThe most recent pope to resign was Benedict XVI, who vacated the Holy See on 28 February 2013. He was the first pope to do so since Gregory XII in 1415.
Who is supposed to be the last pope?
This ancient prophecy, buried within the Vatican for centuries, suggests that Pope Francis, the latest in the holy line which stretches back nearly 2000 years, may be destined to be the last Pope.
Who was the longest serving pope?
Pope Pius IXPope Pius IX (Italian: Pio IX, Pio Nono; born Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti; 13 May 1792 – 7 February 1878) was head of the Catholic Church from 1846 to 1878, the longest verified papal reign.
Benedict inherited the fallout of the sexual abuse scandal that was gaining steam
Upon ascending to the papacy in April 2005, Benedict was forced to publicly confront the trauma of sexual abuse by Church clergy that had bubbled to the surface after generations of suppression.
Italian authorities were watching the Vatican's finances
Another issue that proved problematic for the pope was the financial entanglements of the Vatican Bank.
His butler leaked the pope's personal correspondence to a journalist
The straw that broke the camel's back may well have been the disclosure of the pope's personal documents in the "Vatileaks" scandal of 2012.
Benedict maintains that he resigned for the right reasons
In the weeks that followed Benedict's retreat into private life, theories abounded as to why one of the world's most powerful spiritual leaders undertook the legacy-altering move.
Early life: 1927–1951
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was born on 16 April, Holy Saturday, 1927, at Schulstraße 11, at 8:30 in the morning in his parents' home in Marktl, Bavaria, Germany. He was baptised the same day.
Pre-papal career
Ratzinger became a professor at the University of Bonn in 1959, with his inaugural lecture on "The God of Faith and the God of Philosophy". In 1963, he moved to the University of Münster. During this period, he participated in the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) and served as a peritus (theological consultant) to Cardinal Frings of Cologne.
Papacy: 2005–2013
Benedict XVI was elected the 265th pope at the age of 78. He is the oldest person to have been elected pope since Pope Clement XII (1730–1740). He served longer as a cardinal before becoming Pope than any Pontiff since Benedict XIII (1724–1730).
Pope Emeritus
On the morning of 28 February 2013, Benedict met with the full College of Cardinals and in the early afternoon flew by helicopter to the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.
Titles and styles
The official style of the former Pope in English is His Holiness Benedict XVI, Supreme Pontiff Emeritus or Pope Emeritus. Less formally he is referred to as Emeritus Pope or Roman Pontifex Emeritus.
Positions on morality and politics
In 2005, the pope listed several ways to combat the spread of HIV, including chastity, fidelity in marriage and anti-poverty efforts; he also rejected the use of condoms.
Interests
Benedict is known to be deeply interested in classical music, and is an accomplished pianist.
Announcement
Benedict announced in February 2013 that, due to his advanced age, he would step down. At the age of 85 years and 318 days on the effective date of his retirement, he was the fourth-oldest person to hold the office of pope.
Post-papacy
According to Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, Pope Benedict XVI would not have the title of cardinal upon his retirement and would not be eligible to hold any office in the Roman Curia.
Reactions
Politicians around the globe reacted to the news.
Final week
Benedict XVI delivered his final Angelus on Sunday, 24 February. He told the gathered crowd, who carried flags and thanked the pope, "Thank you for your affection.
External links
" Declaratio, 11 February 2013 – Benedict XVI " (English translation). Vatican State: Holy See. 11 February 2013.
Early life and career
Overview of the early life of Benedict XVI, with a detailed discussion of his involvement in the Hitler Youth.
Papacy
Ratzinger’s election as pope on the second day of the conclave was something of a surprise because of his status as a leading candidate; front-runners are almost never chosen, a fact reflected in the popular expression, “He who enters as a pope leaves as a cardinal.” His position with the cardinal electors was apparently secured by his long service to John Paul and his devotion to his predecessor’s teachings and ideals.
Overview
Papacy: 2005–2013
Benedict XVI was elected the 265th pope at the age of 78. He is the oldest person to have been elected pope since Pope Clement XII (1730–1740). He served longer as a cardinal before becoming Pope than any Pontiff since Benedict XIII (1724–1730). Benedict and his Polish predecessor John Paul II were the first consecutive non-Italian popes since the seven consecutive Frenchmen of the A…
Early life: 1927–1951
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was born on 16 April, Holy Saturday, 1927, at Schulstraße 11, at 8:30 in the morning in his parents' home in Marktl, Bavaria, Germany. He was baptised the same day. He is the third and youngest child of Joseph Ratzinger Sr., a police officer, and Maria Ratzinger (née Peintner); his grand-uncle was the German priest-politician Georg Ratzinger. His mother's fa…
Pre-papal career
Ratzinger began as a chaplain at the parish St. Martin, Moosach, in Munich in 1951. Ratzinger became a professor at the University of Bonn in 1959, with his inaugural lecture on "The God of Faith and the God of Philosophy". In 1963, he moved to the University of Münster. During this period, he participated in the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) and served as a peritus (theological cons…
Pope Emeritus
On the morning of 28 February 2013, Benedict met with the full College of Cardinals and in the early afternoon flew by helicopter to the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. He stayed there until refurbishment was completed on his retirement home, the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens near St Peter's, formerly home to 12 nuns, where he moved on 2 May …
Titles and styles
The official style of the former Pope in English is His Holiness Benedict XVI, Supreme Pontiff Emeritus or Pope Emeritus. Less formally he is referred to as Emeritus Pope or Roman Pontifex Emeritus. Moreover, according to the 1983 Code of Canon Law he is also Bishop Emeritus of Rome, retaining the sacred character received at his ordination as a bishop and receiving the title of emeritus of his diocese; although he does not use this style. The pope Emeritus has personall…
Positions on morality and politics
In 2005, the pope listed several ways to combat the spread of HIV, including chastity, fidelity in marriage and anti-poverty efforts; he also rejected the use of condoms. The alleged Vatican investigation of whether there are any cases when married persons may use condoms to protect against the spread of infections surprised many Catholics in the wake of John Paul II's consistent re…
Interests
Benedict is known to be deeply interested in classical music, and is an accomplished pianist. His favorite composer is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, of whose music he said: "His music is by no means just entertainment; it contains the whole tragedy of human existence." Benedict also stated that Mozart's music affected him greatly as a young man and "deeply penetrated his soul". Benedict's favorite works of music are Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet. He record…
Overview
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took effect on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 CET, following his announcement of it on 11 February. It made him the first pope to relinquish the office since Gregory XII was forced to resign in 1415 to end the Western Schism, and the first pope to voluntarily resign since Celestine V in 1294.
Announcement
Pope Benedict XVI announced his intention to resign in Latin at the Apostolic Palace in the Sala del Concistoro, at an early morning gathering on 11 February 2013—the World Day of the Sick, a Vatican holy day. The gathering was officially to announce the date of the canonisation of 800 Catholic martyrs, Antonio Primaldo and companions, and the Latin American nuns Laura Montoya Upegui and Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala. At the ceremony, known as the "Consistory for the ca…
Post-papacy
According to Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, Benedict would not have the title of cardinal upon his retirement and would not be eligible to hold any office in the Roman Curia. On 26 February 2013, Father Lombardi stated that the pope's style and title after resignation are His Holiness Benedict XVI, Roman Pontiff Emeritus, or Pope Emeritus. In later years, Benedict expressed his desire to be known simply as "Father Benedict" in conversation.
Reactions
Politicians around the globe reacted to the news. Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, United Kingdom's Prime Minister David Cameron and United States' President Barack Obama praised Benedict and his pontificate; while Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti and Philippines' President Benigno Aquino III expressed shock and regret, respectively.
Final week
Benedict XVI delivered his final Angelus on Sunday, 24 February. He told the gathered crowd, who carried flags and thanked the pope, "Thank you for your affection. [I will take up a life of prayer and meditation] to be able to continue serving the church." The pope appeared for the last time in public during his regular Wednesday audience on 27 February 2013. By 16 February, 35,000 peo…
See also
• Vatican leaks scandal
External links
• "Declaratio, 11 February 2013 – Benedict XVI" (English translation). Vatican State: Holy See. 11 February 2013.