Pope Benedict XVI was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927.

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Pope Benedict XVI is the 265th Pope

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Pope Benedict XVI serves as as Sovereign of the Vatican City State and leader of the Catholic Church.

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As Pope, Benedict XVI is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter the Apostle.

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Benedict XVI was elected in April of 2005 in a papal conclave.

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Pope Benedict XVI has both German and Vatican citizenship.

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Pope Benedict XVI was ordained as a priest in 1951.

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Pope Benedict XVI was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1977.

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Pope Benedict XVI is known for theologically conservative teachings.

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Pope Benedict XVI became known as pope who stressed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism and the growing secularism of many Christians engaged in charitable work."

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Benedict XVI announced that he would resign the papacy, effective February 28, 2013, due to age and ill health.

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