Amanda's+Pope+Project

=Pope Benedict XIV=

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Profile Information

 * Name:** Pope Benedict XIV
 * Hometown:** Marktl am Inn, Bavaria Germany
 * Birthday:** April 16th, 1927
 * Job:** Pope
 * Employer:** The Catholic Church
 * Education:** University of Munich

About Me
Hello, my name is Joseph Ratzinger, but most of you may know me as Pope Benedict XIV. I was born in Marktl, Bavaria, Germany on April 16th, 1927 to Maria and Joseph Ratzinger Sr. I am also the third and youngest child in my family. After my 14th birthday, my older brother and I were drafted into the youth group, Hitler Youth, which was a requirement at the time. Even though I was only 14, I knew what Hitler was doing was wrong and went unenthusiastically to the meetings. In the year 1943, myself and a few others were drafted into the anti-aircraft corps, though that same year my unit was attacked by the Allied Forces. After about a year in the anti-aircraft unit though, I was drafted into the regular military. I never partook in any battles however, because an infected finger kept me from learning how to shoot. In February of 1945 I was captured and sent to a Prisoner of War Camp and was held there for several months until the end of the war.

After the war, my brother and I decided to enter the Saint Michael seminary to become priests. We were both ordained on June 29th, 1951 by Cardinal Michael von Faulhaber. One of the most amazing memories I have of that day would be "...at the moment the elderly Archbishop laid his hands on me, a little bird – perhaps a lark – flew up from the altar in the high cathedral and trilled a little joyful song." (Wikipedia) After I became a priest though, I decided to go back to school. Two years later I graduated from the University of Munich with my doctorate, and four years after that I earned my teaching licentiate. A year later, I got my first teaching job, teaching dogma and fundamental theology at Freising College. I have also had teaching jobs at the University of Bonn, the University of Muenster, the University of Tübingen, and lastly the University of Regensburg.

In 1962, when the Vatican Council II was in session I, only 35 at the time, was elected to be a theological adviser to the Archbishop of Cologne, which was Joseph Cardinal Frings. I then accompanied him to all four sessions and was privileged enough to give my input during different discussions. In 1977 I was elected to be the Archbishop of Munich-Freising and to be a Cardinal as well. On November 25, 1981 I was nominated by Pope John Paul II to be the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. A year later I resigned my role as Archbishop so I would be able to focus on my new roles as Cardinal and Prefect. Then in 1998, I was elected to be the College of Cardinal's vice-dean and four years later I became the head dean.

On April 19th, 2005, after Pope John Paul II's death, I was elected to be your pope. I throughout most of the process, I was considered the front runner for who would be your next pope, even though I had been thinking about retiring peacefully from my position to settle down and write books about my findings on faith. Something that I feel is very important to share with other while I am your pope is the "teachings about the Catholic faith and the solutions to the problems of discerning and living the faith." (Wikipedia) I have done many important things while I have been pope, and I haven't regretted anything about this wonderful journey. With that being said, I regret to inform you that I have decided to reign from my position of being pope. I feel that my strength is holding me back from doing everything that I feel is needed to be done and that it is unfair to everyone. Thank you for all the wonderful things that have happened to me during this incredible journey.

-Pope Benedict XVI/Joseph Ratzinger

Friends












Wall
Pope Benedict XIV: Hey mom, I just wanted to tell you that I have just been captured by American soldiers and am being sent to a POW camp. I hope to be let out soon. Pray for me! (Date: February 1945)

To the students at the University of Bonn>From Pope Benedict XIV: Just a reminder to all of those who sat in on my inaugurallecture about the God of Faith and the God of Philosophy, you have essays due tomorrow. Come prepared! (Date: 1959)

Pope John Paul II: Hey Benny! Congratulations on becoming the new pope. I know you’ll do great. There was a reason I never let you retire you know. May God be with you always! (Date: January 2005)

To Everyone: I have recently decided to resign from my position as pope. I feel “that my strengths, due to an advanced age are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.” Please forgive me, and God bless you all. (Date: February 2013)