Benedict XVI abdicated - this news not so long ago stunned the religious world, and especially Catholics. The abdication of the Pope from the throne last occurred several centuries ago. Usually they succeeded each other in connection with death. Such an extraordinary act of the holy man tied to him the influence of not only the Catholic public, but also representatives of other faiths, as well as the media of the whole world.
Young years of the pope
In the small village of Marktl am Inn, on the eve of Easter, Joseph Alois Ratzinger was born in the gendarme family on April 16, 1927 - this is the real name that Benedict XVI had. He was the youngest child in the family. When the child was 5 years old, the family moved to the city of Auschau, which is located in the picturesque alpine mountains. At the age of 10, Joseph was a student in a classical gymnasium in the city of Traunstein. His father chose this gymnasium because he was one of the supporters of National Socialism. At the age of fourteen, Joseph entered the ranks of the fascist organization Hitler Youth. Many historians claim that joining a fascist organization at that time was a prerequisite for all boys who reached this age.
Adolescence
The activities of Joseph Alois Ratzinger as a minister of the church began in 1939, at which time he became a pupil of the pre-seminary. During the Second World War, he happened to get into the youth part of the air defense as an assistant. He studied in the city of Munich at the gymnasium of Maximilian. At age 17, Joseph was enrolled in the Austrian region. This moment in the biography of Pope Benedict XVI does not really like to remember. Military service did not suit him, and in 1945 he defected. These were difficult years for the young man, having escaped from the army, he returned to the city of Traunstein. In the house of his parents at that time was the headquarters of the American army. Joseph Ratzinger was arrested and then sent to a prison camp. A few months later he was released.
In the years 1946-1951, Joseph Ratzinger graduated from the Theological Institute with a degree in Theology and Philosophy. In 1951, Benedict 16, a film about which was shot not so long ago, received the holy dignity. In the Cathedral of Freising, Cardinal Michael Faulhaber, who was the Archbishop, ordained Joseph Joseph Ratzinger to the priests. Then in 1953, Joseph Ratzinger wrote a theological work at the University of Munich. As a result of this work, he went down in German history as the country's best theologian.
The mature years of the pope
In 1972, Ratzinger worked as a teacher of theology at a Bonn university. In 1966, he was the best connoisseur of dogmatic theology in Tübingen. Later in 1972, Ratzinger became one of the founders of the well-known Communio magazine, whose name translates as "the sacrament". This journal of theology and culture is published to this day. In the spring of 1977, Joseph Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising. On June 27, he was appointed Cardinal by Pope Paul VI. In 1980, the cardinal was appointed head of the Council for the laity. Subsequently, Pope Paul VI invited him to become head of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
Church service
If Joseph Ratzinger took this post, then this could lead to his departure from the Munich department and then there would be a need to move to the Vatican. Therefore, Joseph Ratzinger refused the proposed position of head of the Congregation. In 1981, he agreed to be appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Creed in the Vatican and then moved to the Vatican. However, he refuses to shepherd.
In the Vatican in 1993, Joseph Ratzinger was appointed bishop of Velletri Senyi. In 2000, he becomes Bishop of Osty. Then, in 2002, he transferred to the post of dean of the College of Cardinals. Having become a cardinal, he replenishes the ranks of members of the council of Ecclesia Dei. Thus, since that time he has been the main theologian in the Vatican, and therefore his views on the main problems relating to society are represented by the position of the Vatican. Ratzinger opposed abortion, so they are unacceptable in the Vatican.
Education
The activities conducted by Benedict XVI indicate that he is a highly educated person. He speaks several languages well: German, English, Italian, Spanish, Ancient Greek and Hebrew. The Pope is also the author of numerous works: “Truth and Tolerance, ” “God and the World, ” and others. He is the author of the book Introduction to Christianity, which has become an international bestseller.
The Pope is conservative in his views and thinking. He condemns homosexuality, 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 the divinely revealed differences between the stronger sex and the weak. Conservative views can be found in his books. In them, he considers the conservative course of the formation of the Church, he is also dissatisfied with the mixture of different cultures that take place in some Western countries, he believes that modern culture is contrary to religion and moral standards.
