POPE BENEDICT XVI

Brief Biography of Pope Benedict XVI from Catholic Encyclopedia

The newly elected Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, was one of the most powerful men in the Vatican under Pope John Paul II. Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927, in Marktl Am Inn, Germany. During World War II, Ratzinger was drafted into army in 1943, serving in an anti-aircraft unit that tracked Allied bombing raids.

He was ordained a priest in 1951. In 1953, he received his doctorate in theology.In March 1977, he was named archbishop of Munich and Freising by Pope Paul VI.He became dean of the College of Cardinals in November 2002 and in that role called the cardinals to Rome for the conclave that elected him the 265th pope.

Ratzinger is highly regarded as an intellectual and considered humble and charming personally