Scandalous Pope, Transitional Pope, Nazi Pope and “cat lover” - this is how Pope Benedict XVI, who took the throne at the age of 78, was called. He became the second pontiff in history to renounce the papacy of his own free will. His biography and turbulent papacy are surrounded by a lot of scandals.
During the eight years of his pontificate, the Catholic Church experienced a series of pedophile revelations, found itself on the verge of conflict with the Muslim world and encountered a truly global sensation - the voluntary abdication of the Holy See. What is Pope Benedict XVI remembered for, whose years of reign coincided with a crisis of civilization and faith, the world community?
Youth
In the world, Joseph Alois Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was born into the family of a German gendarme on April 16, 1927 in German Bavaria, in a town called Marktl am Inn. The youngest of three children, named after his father, at the age of two he and his family moved to the city of Auschau, in the picturesque Alps. His father, not a fanatic of National Socialism, chose a classical gymnasium in Traunstein for his son’s education. After graduation, Joseph enters the theological pre-seminary.
Nazi past
A controversial and contradictory fact in the biography of the future Pope is considered to be his entry into the youth paramilitary National Socialist organization “Hitler Youth”. Benedict XVI does not hide this fact and explains it with the advice of his mathematics teacher, who was a Nazi, but nevertheless a decent man. Attending meetings of this organization and membership in it gave a fourteen-year-old teenager grounds for a significant reduction in tuition fees.
Joseph Ratzinger did not hide, but was not proud of the fact that in 1943, as part of an auxiliary unit of anti-aircraft troops, he defended the BMW aircraft engine plant from attacks by opponents of Nazi Germany. In 1944, he installed anti-tank mines on the Austro-Hungarian border. But at the end of the war, his biography as a military man ended - the young man deserted. After surviving about two months in American captivity, Joseph returned to Bavaria, where he graduated from theological seminary.
Soldier
During World War II in 1941, Joseph Ratzinger joined the Hitler Youth, a Nazi paramilitary organization for teenagers. He was then only 14 years old. Pope Benedict XVI himself spoke about this fact in his biography and called it “one of the darkest times” of his life. He emphasized that he did not join the organization of his own free will.
Joseph Ratzinger was subsequently drafted into the Austrian Legion, the German air defense force, but did not participate in combat. In 1945, Ratzinger deserted and returned home, but was captured by American soldiers and was held captive for several months.
The future Pope's mature years
The future Pope received his higher education, specializing in theology and philosophy, at the Theological Institute at the University of Munich from 1946 to 1951. Immediately after this, the Archbishop of Freising and Munich, Cardinal Michael Faulbacher, ordained Joseph to the priesthood. At the same university he will defend his dissertation in theology. "People and Home in Augustine's Ecclesiology" will include the then simple priest in the list of the best theologians in Germany.
In 1959, Joseph began teaching at the University of Bonn, and ten years later he became a leading expert on theological dogmas at the University of Tübinham.
Pope Benedict XVI
His Holiness Benedict XVI (Latin Benedictus PP. XVI, Italian Benedetto XVI, in the world Joseph Alois Ratzinger, German Joseph Alois Ratzinger; April 16, 1927, Marktl am Inn, Bavaria) - the 265th Pope of Rome (from 19 April 2005). Benedict XVI became the oldest pope at the time of election since Pope Clement XII (elected in 1730). Benedict XVI is the first pope since Paul IV (16th century), who was elected while dean of the College of Cardinals, the first cardinal-bishop elected to the papacy since Pius VIII, the first pope-elect since Benedict XIII, who was a cardinal before his election for a long time, the first pope of German descent in the last thousand years. Joseph Alois Ratzinger was born on Easter Eve in a house at ul. Schulsstrasse, 11 and became the third and youngest child in the family of Gendarmerie Commissioner Joseph Ratzinger and Maria Ratzinger. During World War II he was drafted into the air defense auxiliary unit in Munich. Ratzinger did not have to take part in the battles. When American troops approached, he deserted and returned home, but was soon arrested. He spent only a few months in a prisoner of war camp. In 1941 he became a member of the Hitler Youth, after December 1939 it was compulsory for all boys in Germany who were 14 years old. Anti-aircraft battalion soldier. 1944 - Enlisted in the Austrian Legion. 1945 - Deserted as the Allied army approached. 1946-1951 - higher education (theology and philosophy), at the University of Munich. On June 29, 1951 he received priesthood. The ordination was performed in the Freising Cathedral by Cardinal Michael Faulhaber, Archbishop of Munich and Freising. 1953 - defended his dissertation on the legacy of St. Augustine and became one of the best theologians in Germany. Since 1959 - lecturer at the Department of Theology at the University of Bonn. Since 1966 - chief expert in the field of dogmatic theology at the University of Tübingen. Here he tried to act as the main ideological opponent of the radical left at the height of the student unrest that swept across Europe in the 1960s. 1972 - in opposition to anti-clerical publications, he founded the theological magazine “Communio”, which still exists. 1977 from March 24 - Archbishop of Munich and Freising, from June 27 - cardinal, appointed by Pope Paul VI. November 30, 2002 Ratzinger becomes dean of the College of Cardinals. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is the first dean of the College of Cardinals since 1555 to be elected pope. Benedict XVI speaks fluent German, Italian, Latin, English and Spanish and reads texts in ancient Greek and Hebrew. Pope Benedict XVI has an email address that anyone can send a letter to. After Christmas Mass in 2008, an Italian woman, apparently suffering from mental illness, tried to get through to the pope and bite him on the neck. Security staff managed to prevent the incident in time. Conflict with Muslims On September 12, 2006, Benedict XVI gave a lecture at the University of Regensburg on the role of reason (Greek: λόγος) in Christianity and Islam, as well as on the concept of holy war (see Pope's speech in Regensburg. He quoted the words of the 14th century Byzantine emperor Manuel II that Muhammad brought to the world only “something evil and inhumane, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.” His words caused a strong reaction in the Muslim world, due to the violence caused by this statement (according to experts), Islamic fanatics died , at least one Catholic nun.Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit ordered the embassy in the Vatican to obtain urgent clarification in connection with statements about Islam attributed to Pope Benedict XVI... Thousands of Egyptians demonstrated on Friday at the Al-Azhar mosque " in Cairo, protesting the pope's remarks on Islam. The Turkish Islamic Party has joined a wave of criticism against Pope Benedict XVI's comments on Islam, accusing him of trying to revive the spirit of the Crusades. Party representatives said that the Pope interprets history in the same way as Hitler and Mussolini did. In protest, Indian Muslims burned a copy of a newspaper containing Benedict XVI's speech. “Show me what Muhammad brought new, and you will find evil and inhumane things, such as orders to carry out the faith that he preached with the sword,” the BBC quotes a scandalous quote. Benedict XVI said “I quote” twice. However, the Pope's speech provoked an angry reaction from Muslim leaders. Pope Benedict XVI expressed regret that his statements about Islam were perceived as hostile towards Muslims, Reuters reports. The respected Islamic university Al-Azhar has called on the Vatican to take a scientific approach to the study of Islam, which will ensure the mutual respect necessary for dialogue between representatives of different religions. This is stated in the research statement, which deals with the sensational statements of Pope Benedict XVI about Islam. Islamists have threatened to attack the Vatican. To the text of the statement, the “Mujahideen Army” attached video recordings of attacks on American military targets in Iraq, “dedicating” them to Benedict XVI. Militants from the Mujahideen Army group vowed to destroy the cross in the heart of Rome, as well as destroy thrones and crosses on the territory of their opponents. In Iraq, Muslims burned a symbolic effigy of Benedict XVI. The Russian Council of Muftis called for preventing religious confrontation. Two Christian churches were set on fire in Palestine. The reason for them was the statements of Pope Benedict XVI about Islam. Pope Benedict XVI began his Sunday sermon by lamenting the reaction of the Islamic world to a speech he delivered on Thursday at the University of Regenburg in Germany... The head of the Roman Catholic Church recalled that on Saturday the new Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, spoke official denial... In his annual speech to the Vatican's top clergy, Pope Benedict XVI said saving humanity from homosexuality and transsexualism is as important as preserving tropical forests. According to him, admiration for God's creation should not be limited to protecting the environment. It is necessary, the Pope said, to save man from himself. The pontiff emphasized that he considers the theory of gender equality destructive for humanity, since it erases the boundaries between men and women. The theory of gender equality also suggests that each person must understand his biological purpose and his role in society. However, the Pope is confident that the destiny of men and women, as defined in the Bible, is clear, does not need to be rethought, and is inherent in every person even before birth. At the same time, sexual minorities around the world, and especially in the United States, consider the theory of gender equality to be the basis for mutual understanding and tolerance between people. The 81-year-old pontiff said that along with the ecology of the environment, there must also be an ecology of humanity. Speaking to Vatican ministers, the Pope also recalled the Church's unwavering position on same-sex marriage. On December 7, a protest took place in Italy against the Vatican’s attitude towards homosexuality. About 200 people, including a number of Italian politicians, gathered in a park on the border of the Vatican. Earlier it was reported that the Vatican published a document on homosexuality among priests. It states, in particular, that it is not recommended to ordain men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies as Catholic priests. An exception to the rule is made for those who can overcome these tendencies at least three years before ordination. And Pope Benedict XVI is going to release a music album with the help of the record company Geffen Records. The release, scheduled for Christmas Eve this year, will be called Alma Mater. In addition to religious chants dedicated to the Virgin Mary and performed by the pontiff, it will also include modern compositions. It is noteworthy that the record will be published by Geffen Records, which at one time was involved in reproducing records by Nirvana and Guns N' Roses, and now the label publishes rapper Snoop Dogg, the Pussycat Dolls and singer Mary J. Blige. Company President Colin Barlow called the pontiff's voice "incredible."
From a simple clergyman to the Pope
In 1977, Pope Paul VI appointed Joseph cardinal and archbishop of Munich and Freising. His pastorate in Germany continued until 1981, which he regretfully left and moved to Rome. Once in the Vatican, he holds the position of prefect of the ideological department of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with a bishopric in small Velletri-Segni.
Having gone through several steps along the career ladder of a clergyman, since 2002, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a member of the College of Cardinals and the Ecclesia Dei commission, has become the chief theologian of the Vatican, voicing its official position.
Church service
If Joseph Ratzinger had taken this post, this could have led to his departure from the Munich see and there would have been a need to move to the Vatican. Therefore, Joseph Ratzinger refused the offered position of leader of the Congregation. In 1981, he agreed to be appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican department and then moved to the Vatican. At the same time, he refuses to pastor.
In 1993, the Vatican appointed Joseph Ratzinger as Bishop of Velletri-Segni. In 2000 he became Bishop of Osti. Then, in 2002, he assumed the position of Dean of the College of Cardinals. Having become a cardinal, he joins the ranks of the council of the Ecclesia Dei. Thus, from that time on, he has been the chief theologian in the Vatican, and therefore his views on major issues affecting society appear to be the position of the Vatican. Ratzinger opposed abortion, which is why it is unacceptable in the Vatican.
New Pope
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became the 265th Pope of Rome at the age of 78 on April 19, 2005, after which he took the name Benedict XVI (“Blessed One”), honoring the memory of St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547) and Pope Benedict XV (1854). -1922). His candidacy was supported by the College of Cardinals for the fourth time. He himself commented on his election very modestly, saying that he did not ask for this and hoped to retire modestly. He made his wish come true in 2013, voluntarily leaving the post of pontiff.
For the first time in a thousand years, a German from Bavaria, and not an Italian, became Pope. For the second time in the history of the pontificate, the papal throne was occupied by a person of such advanced age (the first was in 1730 by Pope Clement XII, the same age as Benedict XVI).
Sins of the fathers
In 2008-2010, a scandal erupted involving the sexual abuse and rape of children by Catholic priests in Germany, Ireland and the United States. According to journalists and advocates for victims of abuse, the church, including the Pontiff himself, hushed up the sexual abuse of children by priests for years to avoid scandal, and many pedophile priests were not defrocked and never punished. At the same time, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 1981, whose responsibilities include overseeing the purity of doctrine and morals in the church. Subsequently, Benedict XVI had to repeatedly apologize to all victims of pedophile priests.
Muslims and the Pontiff
While still studying at the University of Regensburg (2006), Benedict XVI almost became a target of terrorists. The vision of the situation regarding Emperor Manuel II almost led to tragedy. By quoting the Byzantine king on the subject of Muhammad's words to spread the faith with the sword, the pontiff caused a wave of indignation in Muslim circles.
Pakistan and India expressed criticism of the Pope, and al-Qaeda announced its desire for reprisals. The conflict was quelled when the Pope explained that the quote was intended to emphasize the unreasonableness of the holy war. The terrorist organization reneged on its promises, and the pontiff called on the world to abandon the reprisal against Saddam Hussein and not to invade Iranian territory.
Pedophilia scandal
While still a cardinal, Benedict XVI initiated changes to canonical church law: the statute of limitations for sexual crimes was abolished, the list of crimes against children and abuse of them was expanded, and the procedure for defrocking for such actions was simplified. But this did not save the church from pedophile scandals.
The largest of them broke out in 2010, when a special commission began an investigation into Irish priests accused of pedophilia. Benedict XVI sent a letter to Ireland, where he condemned their actions and expressed his idea that the criminals must answer to people, to the law, and to God. But victims of violence accused the latter of obstructing the investigation of the cases and filed a lawsuit at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
In 2012, Gianluigi Nuzzi’s book “His Holiness” was published, based on the correspondence of the Pope’s secretary Paolo Gabriele. The book describes the behind-the-scenes struggles and intrigues in the Catholic Church. As a result of this exposure, Claudio Sciarpeletti (programmer of the Vatican Secretariat of State) and Paolo Gabriele were held accountable to the law, although the Pontiff publicly pardoned them.
Number sixteen
The question of what name the new pontiff would choose for himself after his election was no less important than his appointment itself. It is believed that Popes take the names of those of their predecessors who most impress them, and thus pay tribute to them. By calling his new name, the chosen one thereby seems to hint at what the flock should expect. Before the current elections, John Paul III, Pius XIII and a number of others were mentioned among the possible names, but for some reason they did not remember Benedict.
BENEDICT XV. Image from www.vaticaninexile.com
Lenta.ru
The last Pope until yesterday, named Benedict, the fifteenth in a row, led the Catholic Church from September 1914 to January 1922. He was an Italian - a native of Genoa, in the world his name was Giacomo della Chiesa. Interestingly, all Benedicts on the Holy See were either Italian or, in rare cases, French. Another Benedict - an antipope - was a Spaniard.
In general, Benedict XVI became only the eighth native of Germany among the governors of St. Peter. The pontificate of the first six of his predecessors occurred in the eleventh century, and the seventh, Adrian VI (1522-1523), was the last foreigner to head the Vatican before Karol Wojtyła. The most influential of Benedict XVI's compatriot popes was Leo IX (1049-1054), whose seven-year pontificate saw one of the important events in the history of the Christian Church - its final split into the Roman Catholic West and the Byzantine East (1054).
But let's return to the name of the new pontiff, which, it is believed, can shed light on the near future of the Catholic Church. The pontificate of Benedict XV occurred during the First World War - he was elected to the papal throne a month after it began. The pope was a fierce opponent of the war, making several unsuccessful attempts to reconcile the opponents. In his diplomatic moves, the Pope did not distinguish between the alliances of powers involved in the war, declaring neutrality, although some historians argue that he was opposed to the socialists. The argument in favor of this opinion is that the Pope considered the main cause of the war to be the de-Christianization of the world, militant unbelief. After the war, Benedict XV did everything to establish good relations with the old and new states of the transformed Eastern and Central Europe (this, of course, did not apply to Soviet Russia). To reconcile with France, the Pope canonized its national heroine, Joan of Arc.
Among other achievements of Benedict XV, it is worth noting the approval of the Code of Canon Law, which is still in force, and the creation of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches in May 1917. Now this structure is in charge of the affairs of the Eastern Catholic churches of all rites. Its jurisdiction extends to Catholic churches in Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, and post-Soviet republics.
In addition, the Pope regulated church sermons and prohibited political agitation from the pulpit. In his 1920 encyclical on the 1500th anniversary of the death of one of the church fathers, St. Jerome, Benedict XV warned theologians of the need to reconcile tradition and new scientific results in the interests of faith.
In general, Benedict XV can be called a peacemaker and a good diplomat. He did not carry out many reforms in the church itself; moreover, his predecessor Pius X was actively involved in streamlining church life. Benedict XV was a good orator and was enthusiastic about classical literature and the Italian language.
They say that the new Pope is a conservative, but we do not yet know what course he intends to follow. He is said to be a "transitional" pontiff... but only time will tell what position he will take when he comes face to face with all the problems plaguing the Catholic Church.
President of Costa Rica Abel Pacheco
The new Pope Benedict XVI is also called an intellectual - he speaks 10 languages, has 8 doctorates in theology and philosophy, and is known as a good pianist. As for his worldview, it is no secret that for Cardinal Ratzinger, firm adherence to church canons and doctrines always came first. In his own words, he was once considered a liberal, but since then the world has changed so much that his views have now become conservative. The election of Ratzinger as head of the Catholic Church means that for the next few years, radical reforms such as the abolition of celibacy, the easing of the ban on the use of contraceptives, a softening of the position on the issue of same-sex marriage and, especially, abortion, should be forgotten. However, about moderate reforms, most likely, too.
Dad is a writer
The author of many theosophical works is Benedict XVI (gesammelte schriften, his impressive collection of works). He was a highly educated man, fluent in ten languages. He also wrote a fiction novel, namely the book “Joseph and Chico,” where the story about the life stages of the future pontiff comes from the perspective of a neighbor’s cat.
Among the books authored by the pontiff, the most famous are “The End of Time?”, “God and the World”, “God is Beside Us”, “Truth and Tolerance”, in which the pontiff affirms the conservative path of development of the Church, a return to the origins of faith.
The book “Introduction to Christianity” is still a worldwide bestseller and has been translated into dozens of languages around the world. Intransigence with liberalism in the bosom of the Church, the position of strict Catholic traditionalism, defending one’s convictions - these are the qualities of the person that Benedict XVI is. “The enemies are not outside,” Dad emphasizes. By the way, it was this phrase that became the reason to give the clergyman the nickname Panzerkardinal, which means “cardinal-battleship.” He received another nickname while already a pontiff for defending the orthodox views of the church - “Rottweiler of God.”
Education
The activities carried out by Benedict XVI indicate that he is a highly educated person. He is fluent in several languages: German, English, Italian, Spanish, Ancient Greek and Hebrew. The Pope is also the author of numerous works: “Truth and Tolerance”, “God and Peace” and others. He is the author of Introduction to Christianity, which became an international bestseller.
The Pope is distinguished by his conservative views and thinking. He condemns homosexual relations, same-sex marriage, divorce, and cloning. Among other things, he is an opponent of feminism. He believes that feminism undermines the foundations of marriage and family, as well as God-given differences between the stronger and weaker sex. Conservative views can be read in his books. In them, he examines the conservative course of the formation of the Church; he is also dissatisfied with the mixing of different cultures that takes place in some Western countries; he believes that modern culture contradicts religion and moral standards.
Nothing human is alien
Benedict XVI is a loyal supporter and fan of the Bayern Munich football club. He continues to support the club team and the German national football team and could even become an honorary member of Bayern if he accepted the offer from the club president. He actively promoted the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, but his team did not win, unfortunately for the Pope.
The Pontiff plays the piano well. He prefers the works of Mozart and speaks unflatteringly of modern pop culture. In 2009, he even recorded an album of prayer songs accompanied by classical music. Since the time of his cardinalship, his love for cats, especially homeless ones, has also been preserved.
Worldwide upheaval - voluntary renunciation
Benedict XVI will be remembered by the church, the laity and the public for his unprecedented voluntary departure. At the consistory on February 11, 2013 for the canonization of the martyrs of Otranto, the Pope announced his voluntary resignation, his speech was broadcast by Vatican Radio. From that moment on, like a snowball, versions swarmed about the true reasons for this act. After all, he became the first Pope to resign in six hundred years, since Gregory VII in 1415.
The pontiff himself explained his unconventional decision by age and fatigue. As a representative of the world community, professor theologian A. I. Osipov, comments on the crisis of faith, Benedict XVI is too conservative, and such a position does not fit in with the liberalization of public consciousness.
What undermined the health of 86-year-old Benedict XVI, because while in office, he suffered one heart attack. Age or the scandals that befell his reign? The world will probably learn more from the book the Pope is writing in retirement.
For firm faith
The former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was - for obvious reasons - sometimes called the "Grand Inquisitor". Of course, the modern “Inquisition” does not put anyone in prison or subject anyone to terrible torture. However, Ratzinger is no stranger to harshness in his statements. At the opening ceremony of the conclave on April 18, Ratzinger spoke out strongly against attempts to modernize and liberalize the Catholic Church. “A faith that tries to follow new trends and fashion cannot be called adult, mature. Mature faith is faith that is firm, rooted, and unshakable in its love for Christ. And it is this love that inspires us to do all that is good and gives us the strength and means to distinguish between good and evil and true from false,” the cardinal emphasized, not yet knowing that a day later these words would become the program of the new Pope.
This means that the Catholic Church has pronounced its verdict on the modern world, refusing to recognize as worthy of attention the changes that have occurred in it over the past quarter century. With his accession to the throne, the new Pope Benedict XVI reminds that the head of the Vatican is the successor of the holy Apostle Peter, about whom Jesus Christ said: “On this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
Ekaterina Rogozhnikova
After dad
Benedict XVI retains the name and title "Pope Emeritus". In retirement, he lives in a former monastery in the Vatican gardens, devoting all his time to his favorite reading and writing books. In 2016, this author’s fourth book, “Last Conversations,” was published, written in collaboration with German journalist Peter Seewald. This is the only memoir in which a former Pope talks about his pontificate.
Intelligence and logic, supported by the high efficiency and perseverance inherent in the German nation - this is what Benedict XVI will be remembered by his descendants. An avid Bible student, writer and excellent teacher, the Pope remains intellectually alert and physically vigorous even today, despite his advanced age.
