Pope Benedict XVI
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BIOGRAPHY
- GALLERY
The world's political and religious experts reacted with caution when arch-conservative Joseph Ratzinger was named as the man who would succeed John Paul II as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics. It was thought his appointment might deepen divisions between traditionalist and progressive forces, but the new pontiff moved quickly to allay fears by promising to put the needs of the church as a whole first.
"I will listen to the world and the will of the Lord," he said. "Let us do all we can to pursue the path toward the unity." His words, which were welcomed enthusiastically by the huge crowds gathered in St Peter's Square, showed he was not only a man of humility, but also a capable leader.
Prior to his appointment Cardinal Ratzinger, who at 78 was the oldest person to be appointed pope in over a century, had expressed doubts about his suitability for the role. But on April 19, 2005, when white smoke billowed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the traditional signal a new pontiff had been chosen, he wasted no time in setting about his spiritual duty.
Pope Benedict XVI, as he became upon his inauguration, will draw on the experiences of a remarkable life to guide his papacy. Born to a traditional Bavarian farming family in 1927, he learned about the cruelty of which men are capable from an early age. At 14 he was forced to join the Hitler Youth and some years later, while studying at Traunstein Seminary, he was drafted into an anti-aircraft unit of the Nazi army.
Many supporters say his experiences during World War II convinced him the Church had to act as the defender of truth and freedom. The young soldier so abhorred the violence that he deserted his post and was taken prisoner by the advancing Allied Forces in 1945.
Witnessing the seismic changes that swept through western society in the Sixties cemented the young theologian's beliefs and in 1966 he took a chair in dogmatic theology at Tuebingen. Here he found himself in direct conflict with the forces that so worried him. In one famous incident a group of Marxists disrupted one of his lectures, provoking the professor to brand communist ideology "tyrannical, brutal and cruel". Ratzinger later moved to Regensburg University, where he would eventually become Dean, before being named Cardinal of Munich in 1977.
Four years later Pope John Paul, who was just two years into his own tenure as pontiff, called him to Rome to take over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly knows as the Holy Inquisition. In the years that followed the cardinal would become one of the Vatican's most influential figures, not to mention one of John Paul's closest friends.
His reputation became that of a doctrinal watchdog, however, and his fervent views were not always well-received. In 2000 he offended Protestants and other Christian denominations by declaring they were not "proper churches". And his staunch right wing opinions on feminism, homosexuality and abortion were met with similar consternation in progressive circles. The pontiff is also fervently opposed to "liberation theology" - the belief that the church should be directly involved in the fight for social and economic justice which is enormously popular among Latin America's Catholic leaders.
Pope Benedict XVI is more than just a champion of conservatism, however, and he sees himself as servant, rather than master, of his subjects. Renowned for his powerful intellect and passionate commitment, he intends to continue his predecessor's legacy of promoting inter-religious dialogue and defending basic human rights.
Indeed his choice of the name Benedict, in honour of Benedict XV who worked tirelessly for an end to World War I, suggests that he likewise wants to be an advocate for peace. "In his footsteps, I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples." he affirmed.
Prior to his appointment Cardinal Ratzinger, who at 78 was the oldest person to be appointed pope in over a century, had expressed doubts about his suitability for the role. But on April 19, 2005, when white smoke billowed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the traditional signal a new pontiff had been chosen, he wasted no time in setting about his spiritual duty.
Pope Benedict XVI, as he became upon his inauguration, will draw on the experiences of a remarkable life to guide his papacy. Born to a traditional Bavarian farming family in 1927, he learned about the cruelty of which men are capable from an early age. At 14 he was forced to join the Hitler Youth and some years later, while studying at Traunstein Seminary, he was drafted into an anti-aircraft unit of the Nazi army.
Many supporters say his experiences during World War II convinced him the Church had to act as the defender of truth and freedom. The young soldier so abhorred the violence that he deserted his post and was taken prisoner by the advancing Allied Forces in 1945.
Witnessing the seismic changes that swept through western society in the Sixties cemented the young theologian's beliefs and in 1966 he took a chair in dogmatic theology at Tuebingen. Here he found himself in direct conflict with the forces that so worried him. In one famous incident a group of Marxists disrupted one of his lectures, provoking the professor to brand communist ideology "tyrannical, brutal and cruel". Ratzinger later moved to Regensburg University, where he would eventually become Dean, before being named Cardinal of Munich in 1977.
Four years later Pope John Paul, who was just two years into his own tenure as pontiff, called him to Rome to take over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly knows as the Holy Inquisition. In the years that followed the cardinal would become one of the Vatican's most influential figures, not to mention one of John Paul's closest friends.
His reputation became that of a doctrinal watchdog, however, and his fervent views were not always well-received. In 2000 he offended Protestants and other Christian denominations by declaring they were not "proper churches". And his staunch right wing opinions on feminism, homosexuality and abortion were met with similar consternation in progressive circles. The pontiff is also fervently opposed to "liberation theology" - the belief that the church should be directly involved in the fight for social and economic justice which is enormously popular among Latin America's Catholic leaders.
Pope Benedict XVI is more than just a champion of conservatism, however, and he sees himself as servant, rather than master, of his subjects. Renowned for his powerful intellect and passionate commitment, he intends to continue his predecessor's legacy of promoting inter-religious dialogue and defending basic human rights.
Indeed his choice of the name Benedict, in honour of Benedict XV who worked tirelessly for an end to World War I, suggests that he likewise wants to be an advocate for peace. "In his footsteps, I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples." he affirmed.
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