Pope Benedict XVI

His Early Years  Pope Benedict the 16 th was born and baptized on April 16,  His given name was Joseph Ratzinger.  Marktl am Inn, Germany was the place where he was born.  His parents were strong, devote Catholics.  Mr. Ratzinger was a policeman and was from a family of farmers.

Pope Benedict’s Education JJJJoseph went to the Higher School of Philosophy and Theology of Freising and at the University of Munich. IIIIn 1953 he received his doctorate in theology.

Ordination  He received his priestly ordination on June 29,  On March 25, 1977 he was named Archbishop of Munich and Freising.  Later that year he was named Cardinal.

His Work  Ratzinger contributed to Vatican II as an expert theologian.  He has published many pieces of literature dealing with theology.  His most notable work was published in 1985 called “The Ratzinger Report.”

Joseph Ratzinger: Pope Benedict XVI  oly_father/benedict_xvi /audiences/2005/docu ments/hf_ben- xvi_aud_ _en.html oly_father/benedict_xvi /audiences/2005/docu ments/hf_ben- xvi_aud_ _en.html oly_father/benedict_xvi /audiences/2005/docu ments/hf_ben- xvi_aud_ _en.html

World Day of Peace Message ““““The very name Benedict, which I chose on the day of my election to the Chair of Peter, is a sign of my personal commitment to peace. In taking this name, I wanted to evoke both the Patron Saint of Europe, who inspired a civilization of peace on the whole continent, and Pope Benedict XV, who condemned the First World War as a ''useless slaughter'' (((( 1111 )))) and worked for a universal acknowledgment of the lofty demands of peace.”

Pope Benedict’s Message  His goal is “hope for a more serene world, a world in which more and more individuals and communities are committed to the paths of justice and peace.”