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Pope Benedict XVI Age, Controversies, Family, Biography, Facts & More

Pope Benedict XVI

Bio
Real NameJoseph Aloisius Ratzinger
ProfessionPriest
OrdinationJune 29, 1951
Papacy BeganApril 19, 2005
Papacy EndedFebruary 28, 2013
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)in centimeters - 170 cm
in feet inches - 5’ 7”
Weight (approx.)in Kilograms - 70 kg
in Pounds - 154 lbs
Eye ColorBrown
Hair ColorGray
Personal Life
Date of BirthApril 16, 1927
Age (as in 2017)90 Years
Birth PlaceMarktl Am Inn, Germany
Zodiac sign/Sun signAries
SignaturePope Benenedict XVI - Signature
NationalityGerman
HometownMater Ecclesiae, Vatican City
SchoolThe Higher School in Freising, Bavaria, Germany
College/UniversityThe University of Munich
Educational QualificationDoctorate in Theology at the University of Munich in 1953
FamilyFather- Joseph Ratzinger (a police officer)
Mother- Maria Ratzinger (a hotel cook before marriage)
Brother- Georg (Priest)
Sister- Maria (Priest)
Pope Benedict XVI With His Parents And Siblings
ReligionRoman Catholic
Ethnicity/RaceGerman
AddressMater Ecclesiae, Vatican City
HobbiesListening to Music And Reading
Career/Achievements1959-1969: Taught Theology at different colleges of Germany and also served as the Vice President of the University of Regensburg in Germany; where he was serving as the Professor of Theology.
1977: On May 28, consecrated by Josef Stangl and named as Archbishop of Munich and Freising.
1977: On June 27, Pope Paul VI appointed him Cardinal.
1981: On November 25, became the President of Pontifical International Theological Commission and of the Biblical Commission.
2002: After getting the post of Vice Dean, he became the Dean of the College of Cardinals on November 30.
2005: On April 19, one hundred fifteen cardinals elected him 265th Pope after the death of Pope John Paul II.
2006: On January 25, issued his first encyclical on the subjects like charity, love and politics, etc.
Controversies2006: In September, Benedict (quoting from a book) gives an account of a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and an educated Persian; on the topic of the truth of Islam and Christianity that caused protest and violence in different parts of the Muslim world. He apologized for this offence to the Muslim Community.
2012: On May 26, he was accused for leaking documents to journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi; author of "Sua Santita."
Favorite Things
Favorite FoodBavarian potato ravioli with pancake strips
Sexual Orientation Straight
Marital Status Unmarried
Style Quotient
Papal StyleBenedict XVI-Coat of Arms
Money Factor
Salary (As Pope's Pension)$3,300
Net Worth (approx.)$3,300

Pope Benedict - XVI

Some Lesser Known Facts About Pope Benedict XVI

  • In his childhood, he got inspired to become a cardinal after meeting a cardinal in his town and expressed his desire to become a cardinal to his father.
  • By the age of twelve, he started studying priesthood.
  • Since his childhood, he was very passionate towards music and also learnt piano. He likes classical and folk music;  especially of Beethoven, Mozart and Bach. Pope Benedict XVI Playing Piano
  • Pope spent most of his childhood in ‘Traunstein,’ a town in Bavaria.
  • ”The Marktl Am Inn,” the birth place of Pope, is now open for public. Marktl am Inn Bavaria - 1927 - Birth Place of Pope Benedict XVI
  • During his youth, he experienced the hostile attitude of the Nazi regime against Catholic Church and saw the cruel incidents of Parish priests’ beating by the Nazis.
  • Due to an infected finger, he could not learn to use ammunitions and deserted The German Army in 1945. Pope Benedict XVI In 1945, As A Prisoner Of War By The Allies
  • He has authored more than sixty books, and his first book- ”Theological Highlights of Vatican II,” was published in 1966. Pope Benedict XVI - Theological Highlights of Vatican-2
  • In 2006, Vatican Radio gave him an iPod nano on his 75th birthday. The same year, he visited Auschwitz to pray for the Holocaust victims. Visited Auschwitz In 2006 To Pray For The Dead Of The Holocaust
  • In 2007Esquire magazine gave him the title ”Accessorizer of the Year” and chose him ‘Best-Dressed Man of 2013’ in the  world. Best Dressed Man 2013
  • On June 9, 2007, he met the US President, George W Bush for the first time and discussed about Muslim relations and AIDS. On October 28, he beatified 498 victims of the Spanish Civil War (the largest mass beatification in history). Met US President in On June 9, 2007
  • On April 18, 2008, he delivered an important speech to the United Nations General Assembly and addressed the issues like environment, human rights, freedom of conscience and the religious tolerance.

  • On April 26, 2009, he gave new names to the saints-Caterina Volpicelli, Nuno Alvares Pereira,Gertrude Comensoli,Rev Arcangelo Tadini and Bernardo Tolomei.
  • In May 2009, he made his first trip to Jordan and Israel. Pope Benedict XVI with Jorden's Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad Bin Talal, visits the King Hussein Bin Talal mosque in Amman May 9, 2009
  • On August 3, 2009, he signed a record deal with Geffen Records, and on November 23, he released his first album “Alma Mater.” Alma Mater - First Album of Pope Benedict XVI
  • On November 21, 2012,”Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives” was released, and within minutes, Pope had thousands of followers on his twitter account. First Book of Pope Benedict XVI
  • In November, 2016, his famous creation “Last Testament: In His Own Words,” was released.
  • He is the oldest person to be elected as Pope since 1730. Installed As Pope
  • He knows Spanish, Italian, German, French, Latin, English.
  • He sometimes flies the papal helicopter but doesn’t know how to drive a car. Pope Benedict XVI-flying his helicopter
  • He loves cats and has provided shelter to one found in Rome.
  • He is the first Pope having an iPod.
  • His favorite dress is Red Loafers, Prada Shoes, Red Hat and Serengeti Sunglasses. In Red Santa Cap
  • He expressed his affection and gave blessings to his loving people and showed reverence to the future Pope on  February 28, 2013, the last day of his Papacy.

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