The Vatican confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI would resign the papacy on 28 February 2013, as a result of his advanced age.

Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on 16 April 1927, was a towering intellectual figure in the Catholic Church, serving as its head and the sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2005 until his historic resignation in 2013. Upon his election in the 2005 papal conclave, which followed the passing of Pope John Paul II, he assumed the name Benedict XVI. In a groundbreaking decision for the modern era, he chose the unique title "Pope Emeritus" after stepping down from the Petrine office, a designation reflecting his continued spiritual presence within the Church while no longer actively governing.

An Illustrious Academic and Ecclesiastical Career

Joseph Ratzinger's journey within the Church was marked by an extraordinary blend of academic prowess and profound theological insight. Ordained as a priest in 1951 in his native Bavaria, Germany, he quickly distinguished himself in the academic realm. He embarked on a prolific academic career, establishing himself as a highly regarded and influential theologian by the late 1950s. His intellectual gifts were recognized early, leading to his appointment as a full professor in 1958 at the remarkably young age of 31.

From University Professor to Vatican Prefect

Ratzinger dedicated a significant portion of his life to teaching, holding professorships in theology at several prestigious German universities, including Bonn, Münster, Tübingen, and Regensburg. His academic work profoundly shaped his understanding of faith and reason, influencing generations of students and contributing significantly to post-Vatican II theological discourse. His ascent through the Church hierarchy took a notable turn in 1977 when Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of Munich and Freising and simultaneously elevated him to the College of Cardinals. This was an unusual promotion for a man whose career had primarily been academic rather than pastoral, signaling the Vatican’s recognition of his exceptional theological acumen.

In 1981, Cardinal Ratzinger transitioned from his German diocese to Rome, where he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). This dicastery, or department, within the Roman Curia, is one of the oldest and most important, responsible for promoting and safeguarding the doctrine on faith and morals throughout the Catholic world. His long tenure at the CDF, spanning over two decades, cemented his role as a central figure in Vatican affairs. From 2002 until his election as pope, he also served as the Dean of the College of Cardinals, a position that placed him at the heart of the Church’s administrative and spiritual leadership.

Prior to becoming pope, Joseph Ratzinger was widely considered "a major figure on the Vatican stage for a quarter of a century," serving as one of Pope John Paul II's closest and most trusted confidants. His intellectual contributions and influence were "second to none when it came to setting church priorities and directions," shaping significant theological and disciplinary positions during a pivotal era for Catholicism. He has resided in Rome since taking up his post at the CDF in 1981.

Theological Vision and Papal Priorities

Pope Benedict XVI's extensive body of writings consistently defended traditional Catholic doctrine and values. While initially associated with a more liberal theological perspective in the early post-Vatican II years, he adopted increasingly conservative views, particularly after the cultural upheavals of 1968. This shift was largely in response to what he perceived as dangerous relativistic trends emerging in both theology and society.

Combating Relativism and Reaffirming Core Values

Throughout his papacy, Benedict XVI passionately advocated for a return to fundamental Christian values, viewing this as an essential counter-measure against the accelerating secularization prevalent in many Western countries. He famously identified the "dictatorship of relativism"—the denial of objective truth and, specifically, moral truths—as the central problem of the 21st century. For him, this relativism undermined the very foundations of faith, reason, and human flourishing, leading to confusion and moral decay. He consistently taught the profound importance of both the Catholic Church as a guardian of truth and an understanding of God's redemptive love for humanity.

The "Pope of Aesthetics": Reviving Tradition and Beauty

Benedict XVI also left a distinct mark through his efforts to revive and emphasize certain Catholic traditions. Among these was his decision to elevate the status of the Tridentine Mass, also known as the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, making it more accessible to the faithful through his 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. This move reflected his belief in the enduring spiritual value of the Church's ancient liturgical heritage. He also notably strengthened the relationship between the Catholic Church and art, recognizing beauty as a pathway to God and often engaging with artists and cultural figures.

Furthermore, he actively promoted the use of Latin, the traditional language of the Church, both for its historical continuity and its universality. His papacy saw the reintroduction of traditional papal vestments, such as the camauro, the red mozzetta, and the fanon, which had largely fallen out of use after the Second Vatican Council. For these efforts to restore a sense of historical continuity and aesthetic grandeur to the papacy, he was affectionately (and sometimes critically) dubbed "the Pope of aesthetics." His intellectual clarity and profound theological contributions meant he was widely regarded as "the main intellectual force in the Church" since the mid-1980s.

A Historic Resignation and Legacy

On 11 February 2013, in a moment that sent shockwaves across the globe, Pope Benedict XVI unexpectedly announced his resignation during a consistory of cardinals, delivering his statement in elegant Latin. He cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" due to his advanced age, acknowledging his diminished capacity to adequately fulfill the demanding duties of the Petrine office. His resignation became effective on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 CET, marking an unprecedented event in modern Church history.

The Rarity of a Papal Resignation

Benedict XVI's decision made him the first pope to willingly resign from office since Celestine V in 1294, who stepped down to return to a hermit's life. While Pope Gregory XII also relinquished the papacy in 1415, his resignation was primarily a political maneuver to end the Western Schism, a period when multiple claimants vied for the papal throne. In stark contrast, Benedict's resignation was a deeply personal decision, made on his own initiative and stemming from an honest assessment of his physical and mental capabilities. All other pontiffs in the modern era had served from their election until their death.

Life as Pope Emeritus

Following his resignation, Benedict XVI adopted the unique title of Pope Emeritus, retaining the honorific style of "His Holiness" and continuing to wear the distinctive white papal cassock. He was succeeded by Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who was elected on 13 March 2013 and chose the name Pope Francis. After a brief period in the papal apartments, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI moved into the newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae Monastery within the Vatican City State on 2 May 2013, where he has lived a life of prayer and study in retirement. He has made occasional, dignified public appearances alongside Pope Francis, symbolizing a unique continuity and spiritual bond within the Church.

Beyond the Papacy: Personal Interests and Achievements

Beyond his theological and ecclesiastical accomplishments, Joseph Ratzinger was a man of remarkable intellectual and cultural breadth. In addition to his native German, he possessed a high level of proficiency in French, Italian, English, Latin, and Spanish, and could read ancient Greek and Biblical Hebrew, allowing him direct access to foundational texts of Christian and Western thought. His intellectual curiosity extended to the scientific community, as evidenced by his membership in prestigious bodies like the French Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques.

Culturally, he was an accomplished pianist with a particular fondness for the works of classical composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Sebastian Bach, reflecting a refined aesthetic sensibility. On 4 September 2020, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI achieved another historical milestone, becoming the longest-lived person to have held the office of pope, reaching the age of 93 years, 4 months, and 16 days, thereby surpassing Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pope Benedict XVI

When was Pope Benedict XVI born and when did he become Pope?
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, was born on 16 April 1927. He was elected as the head of the Catholic Church during the 2005 papal conclave, following the death of Pope John Paul II.
Why did Pope Benedict XVI resign?
Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation on 11 February 2013, citing a "lack of strength of mind and body" due to his advanced age, which he felt rendered him unable to adequately fulfill the demanding duties of the papacy. His resignation became effective on 28 February 2013.
What is the significance of his resignation?
His resignation was a historically rare event, making him the first pope to voluntarily step down since Celestine V in 1294. It marked a significant departure from modern tradition, where popes typically serve from election until death.
What is the "Pope Emeritus" title?
Upon his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI chose the unique title "Pope Emeritus." This designation allows him to retain the style of "His Holiness" and wear white, signifying his continued spiritual role within the Church, albeit without the active governing responsibilities of the reigning pontiff.
Who succeeded Pope Benedict XVI?
Pope Benedict XVI was succeeded by Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, who was elected on 13 March 2013 and chose the name Pope Francis.
What were some key theological contributions or focuses of Benedict XVI's papacy?
Benedict XVI was a staunch defender of traditional Catholic doctrine and values. He notably criticized "relativism" as the central problem of the 21st century and advocated for a return to fundamental Christian principles. He also revived certain traditions, including a more prominent place for the Tridentine Mass, and promoted Latin and traditional papal vestments, earning him the moniker "the Pope of aesthetics."