Former Pope Benedict XVI dies in the Vatican monastery aged 95. - Story

Pope Benedict XVI, also known as Joseph Ratzinger, served as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. He was the first Pope to resign since 1415, and the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years. Pope Benedict was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany, and was ordained as a priest in 1951. Prior to his papacy, he served as a professor of theology and as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Pope Benedict XVI is known for his strong emphasis on traditional Catholic teachings and his efforts to improve relations between the Catholic Church and other religions.

Ratzinger was ordained as a priest in 1951, and went on to study theology at the University of Munich. He received his doctorate in theology in 1953, and later served as a professor of theology at the University of Bonn. In 1959, he returned to the University of Munich as a professor of theology, and in 1963 he was appointed as a professor at the University of Regensburg.

In 1977, Ratzinger was appointed as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a position he held until his election as Pope in 2005. As the Prefect, he was responsible for upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church and promoting orthodoxy among Catholics.

On April 19, 2005, Ratzinger was elected as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first Pope to be elected from outside Italy in 455 years, and the oldest Pope to be elected in almost 300 years.

During his papacy, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized traditional Catholic teachings and worked to improve relations between the Catholic Church and other religions. He also made efforts to reach out to the modern world through the use of new media, such as his personal Twitter account. Pope Benedict XVI resigned as Pope on February 28, 2013, becoming the first Pope to do so since 1415.

interesting facts about Pope Benedict XVI:

He is the oldest Pope to be elected in almost 300 years, and the first Pope born in Germany since the 11th century.

Pope Benedict is a talented musician and composer, and has written several works of music, including a Mass and a motet.

He is fluent in several languages, including German, Italian, Latin, French, and English.

Pope Benedict is an avid reader and has written several books on theology and philosophy.

He is known for his love of cats, and has owned several pets during his lifetime.

Pope Benedict has a twin brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, who is also a Catholic priest.

He is the first Pope to have a personal Twitter account, which he used to communicate with followers around the world.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in a monastery in the Vatican at the age of 95.

Pope Francis drove recognitions for his ancestor on Saturday, after Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed on in a cloister in the Vatican at 95 years old.

"We are moved as we review him as such an honorable individual, so kind and we feel such appreciation in our souls, appreciation to god for giving him to the congregation, and to the world," Francis said in Holy person Peter's Basilica while driving conventional vespers service in front of New Year's Day.

"Appreciation to him for all the great he refined or more for his observer of confidence and supplication, particularly in these last long stretches of his life. Just God knows the worth of his penances to bring about some benefit for the congregation," Francis added.

Benedict, who was the primary pontiff in very nearly 600 years to leave his situation, as opposed to hold office forever, died on Saturday, as per an assertion from the Vatican.

"With distress I illuminate you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, died today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Cloister in the Vatican," the Overseer of the Press Office of the Blessed See, Matteo Bruni said.

Francis went to see Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI not long after he died Saturday morning, as per Bruni.

A powerful and polarizing voice

Benedict was a strong power in the Catholic Church for a really long time. Conceived Joseph Ratzinger in Germany in 1927, he was the child of a cop. He was appointed as a minister in 1951, made a cardinal in 1977, and later filled in as boss philosophical consultant to Pope John Paul II.

One of his most huge moves forward came in 1981 when he took over as top of the Gathering for the Principle of Confidence, the Vatican office that supervises "the regulation on the confidence and ethics all through the Catholic world," as per the Vatican.

Ratzinger became known as "Cardinal No" originating from his endeavors to take action against the freedom philosophy development, strict pluralism, difficulties to customary lessons on issues like homosexuality, and calls to appoint ladies as ministers.

He was chosen pope in April 2005, following John Paul II's passing.

He was known to be more moderate than his replacement, Pope Francis, who has taken actions to relax the Vatican's situation on fetus removal and homosexuality, as well as accomplishing other things to manage the sexual maltreatment emergency that has overwhelmed the congregation lately and blurred Benedict's inheritance.