Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, German: [ˈjoːzɛf ʔaˈlɔʏzi̯ʊs ˈʁatsɪŋɐ]; 16 April 1927 – 31 December 2022) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from April 19, 2005 until his resignation on February 28, 2013. Benedict's election as pope occurred in the 2005 papal conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II. Benedict chose to be known by the title "pope emeritus" upon his resignation. Ordained as a priest in 1…
Acting
21
3
Male
Marktl, Weimar Republic [now Germany]
April 16, 1927
December 31o 2022
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger
Bishop of Rome
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Joseph Ratzinger
Papež Benedikt XVI.