Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at the age of 95 in a monastery in the Vatican.
Benedict was the first pope in almost 600 years to resign his position, rather than hold office for life. After his death, Pope Francis visited him at the monastery.
Pope Francis had recently asked for the faithful to pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, stating that he was "very sick." The news of Benedict's death came just a few days later.
Heading: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's Declining Health
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's health had been in decline for some time. On February 11, 2013, he shocked the Catholic faithful and religious experts by announcing his intention to step down as Pope due to his advanced age.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's Retirement and Tension Within the Catholic Church
In his farewell address, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI promised to remain "hidden" from the world after his retirement. However, he continued to make public statements on religious matters in the years following his departure, leading to tension within the Catholic Church.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's Early Life and Career
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger in 1927 in Germany, was a prominent and influential figure in the Catholic Church. He was the son of a police officer and was ordained as a priest in 1951. Benedict became a cardinal in 1977 and later served as chief theological adviser to Pope John Paul II. His impact on the Church was significant and enduring, and he will be remembered as a powerful and polarizing voice.
Pope Benedict XVI, also known as Joseph Ratzinger, rose through the ranks of the Catholic Church to become the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith in 1981. This Vatican office is responsible for promoting and upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals around the world.
Ratzinger became known for his conservative stance on various issues, such as the liberation theology movement, religious pluralism, and calls for the ordination of women as priests. He earned the nickname "Cardinal No" for his efforts to crack down on these movements. He was elected pope in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II and was known for being more conservative than his successor, Pope Francis. Pope Francis has made efforts to address the sexual abuse crisis within the church and to soften the Vatican's stance on issues such as abortion and homosexuality, while Pope Benedict XVI's legacy has been overshadowed by the crisis. In April 2019, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the sexual abuse crisis within the Catholic Church in a public letter, stating that it was partially caused by the sexual revolution of the 1960s and the liberalization of the church's moral teachings.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's Controversial Statements on the Sexual Abuse Crisis
In April 2019, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the sexual abuse crisis within the Catholic Church in a public letter, stating that it was partially caused by the sexual revolution of the 1960s and the liberalization of the church's moral teachings.
A year later, he faced criticism over his handling of abuse cases during his time as archbishop of Munich and Freising between 1977 and 1982, according to a Church-commissioned report. The report revealed that Benedict had been informed of four cases of sexual abuse involving minors, including two that occurred during his time in office, but failed to take action. It also showed that he had attended a meeting about an abuser referred to as Priest X, though Benedict denied knowing in 1980 that this priest was an abuser.
In January 2020, Benedict distanced himself from a book that argued in favor of priestly celibacy within the Catholic Church, which was seen as undermining Pope Francis' consideration of allowing married men to become priests in some cases.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's Final Letter and Apology
Despite these controversies, Benedict wrote in a letter released by the Vatican that he was "of good cheer" and was prepared to face "the final judge" of his life, while also issuing a general apology to abuse survivors.
Tributes from Global Leaders
Global leaders have paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI, who passed away on Saturday. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, called Pope Benedict a "great theologian" and praised his "courageous and humble" decision to resign in 2013, the first pope to do so in over 500 years. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, expressed "love and gratitude" for the former pope. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, both expressed their condolences, with Kirill saying that Benedict's tenure had marked an "epoch" in the history of the Catholic Church and had helped improve relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. The Dalai Lama also offered his condolences, saying that Pope Benedict's focus on charity should serve as an inspiration to all. US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to the former pope.
Pope Benedict XVI's Legacy
Pope Benedict XVI was a highly influential figure within the Catholic Church and served as pope from 2005 to 2013. He was known for his conservative stance on issues such as the liberation theology movement and the ordination of women as priests, and for cracking down on these movements. However, his papacy was also marked by controversy, particularly in regards to the handling of the sexual abuse crisis within the church. In 2013, he became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign from the position. Despite these controversies, Pope Benedict's legacy has been recognized by global leaders, who have paid tribute to his influence and contributions to the Catholic Church.