Who is Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI?
Q: Who is Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI?
A: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 2005 to 2013. He was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on 16 April 1927.
Q: When did he become pope?
A: Benedict was elected on 19 April 2005 in a papal conclave after the death of Pope John Paul II and celebrated his papal inauguration Mass on 24 April 2005.
Q: How long did he serve as pope?
A: He served as pope for 8 years, from 2005 to 2013.
Q: Why did he resign?
A: He resigned due to "lack of strength of mind and body" because of his old age. His resignation became effective on 28 February 2013.
Q: What title does he retain after resigning?
A: As Pope Emeritus, Benedict retains the style of His Holiness, and the title of Pope. He will continue to dress in the papal colour of white.
Q: Who succeeded him as pope?
A: He was succeeded by Pope Francis on 13 March 2013.
Q: Where did he move for his retirement?
A: He moved into the newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae monastery for his retirement on 2 May 2013.
