Fourteenth A boy named Joseph Ratzinger was called to the Hitler Youth after his birthday. In Nazi Germany it could not be ruled out. Even when he was assigned to military service, the way to God was clear inside him. So the teenager secretly avoided ever loading his gun. He had to witness with tears the terrible tortures the Jews faced in the concentration camps. While serving in the German anti-aircraft corps during World War II, he saw man’s war-mongering wreak havoc on earth. Joseph Ratzinger decided to travel to God’s love in those moments of deep contemplation.
Joseph’s father, Joseph Ratzinger Sr., was a police officer in Markthal, Bavaria, Germany. But he resigned from the service in opposition to Nazi Germany’s brutal persecution of Jews. It is from him that his son must have learned about compassion for his fellow beings.
Joseph was captured by the Allied forces during the war and was released after the war. Joined his brother George at St. Michael’s Seminary in Trondstein to study philosophy and theology. It was there that he met a learned priest named Romano Gardini, the turning point in Joseph’s life. Joseph’s growth from priest to theologian and thinker began in association and dialogue with Gardini.
Descendant of John Paul; Hardness of attitudes
Benedict XVI has been described as the guardian of morality. His life was a continuation of the saintly life of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. He was able to shed new light on theology and philosophy of thought as well as to strengthen the faith and structural foundations of the Church.
Benedict XVI was at once a conservative and a progressive pope. While remaining steadfast in his theological convictions, he did not hesitate to engage with the new age. Criticism arose when he called for the abandonment of artificial insemination methods. He took a strong stand against women becoming priests, abortion and extramarital affairs.
While he was an advocate of the past in church matters, he became an ultra-progressive in other matters! The way he found ways to bring back young people who were drifting away from the church surprised even the progressives in the church leadership. He started an account on Twitter under his own name. The Vatican started using SMS to communicate with young people at the behest of Benedict XVI. He called on social media to be the medium of the new age and young women should use it as an example.
A loud voice against child molesters
Pope Benedict XVI has won the respect of even his critics by apologizing to victims of sexual abuse by priests. During a visit to London, he said that priests who abuse children are a disgrace to him and the global Catholic Church. “Let me convey my condolences to the innocent children who have been victims of such untold abuse. I wonder how deep the pain must be for the children from the church ministers. The sins of those church ministers are a disgrace to the whole church. I agree that there has been a delay in taking action against this.” The world listened to the Pope’s words with respect.
The priest who loved Mozart
Benedict XVI had a habit of spending 15 minutes in front of the piano every afternoon. The music of Mozart and Beethoven was very popular. At the same time, he was less fond of computers and cars. Later, he started a Twitter account and reached out to the youth, surprising all those who complained that the Pope was turning his back on modern technology.
Surprising title
The official name adopted by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger when he was elected as the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church was debated. Joseph Ratzinger, a companion and confidant of John Paul II, chose the name Benedict XVI instead of John Paul III. He ascended the ‘throne of Peter’ under the name of Benedict
The sixteenth pope.
In the history of the Catholic Church, Giacomo della Chiesa, Pope Benedict XV from 1914 to 1922, was the most liberal pope toward progressives. He tried to end the First World War. It has been debated whether Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger adopted the name Benedict XVI to change his image as a stern man. It has also been observed that this name is a tribute to Saint Benedict who lived in the 5th century.
In the heart of India
Benedict XVI’s name is the last to be written in the history of the Indian Catholic Church. It was he who named Sister Alphonsamma as the first saint of the Bharata Sabha. He also gave proper representation to the Kerala Church in the Vatican by consecrating two cardinals in the Syro-Malabar Church and the Syro-Malankara Church.
Benedict XVI was the first Pope to abdicate in six centuries. The decision to abdicate was a testament to his transparent and robust spiritual approach as a religious leader. Extinguishment is for a prayerful life. Still its light continues to burn.
English Summary: Life of Pope Benedict XVI