Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, in the southern State of Bavaria, Germany. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1951. He served as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the International Theological Commission, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

His father, a police officer, came from a traditional family of farmers from Lower Bavaria. He spent his adolescent years in Traunstein, and was called into the auxiliary anti-aircraft service in the last months of World War II. He studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at the Higher School in Freising, between1946 to 1951. In 1953, he obtained a doctorate in theology with a thesis entitled: "The People and House of God in St. Augustine's Doctrine of the Church." Four years later, he qualified as a university teacher. He then taught dogma and fundamental theology at the Higher School of Philosophy and Theology of Freising, in Bonn from 1959 to 1969, in Munster from 1963 to 1966, and in Tubinga from 1966 to 1969. From 1969, he was professor of dogmatic theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg and also served as Vice President at the University.

In 1962 at the age of 35, he became a consulter to Cardinal Joseph Frings, Archbishop of Cologne, at Vatican Council II. Among his numerous publications, a particular post belongs to the "Introduction to Christianity," a collection of university lessons on the profession of apostolic faith, published in 1968; and to "Dogma and Revelation" an anthology of essays, sermons and reflections dedicated to the pastoral ministry, published in 1973.

In March 1977, Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on May 28, 1977 he was consecrated - the first diocesan priest after 80 years to take over the pastoral ministry of this large Bavarian diocese.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of June 27, 1977, he assumed the titles of the suburbicarian Church of Velletri-Segni (April 5, 1993) and of the suburbicarian Church of Ostia (November 30, 2002).

On November 25, 1981 he was nominated by John Paul II as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and as president of the Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission.

He was relater of the 5th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (1980).
He was president delegate to the 6th Synodal Assembly (1983).

Elected vice dean of the College of Cardinals November 6, 1998, the Holy Father approved his election, by the order of cardinal bishops, as dean of the College of Cardinals on November 30, 2002.

As President of the Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, after 6 years of work (1986-92) he presented the New Catechism to the Holy Father.

He received an honoris causa degree in jurisprudence from the Free University of Maria Santissima Assunta on November 10. 1999. He became an honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, November 13, 2000.

HIGHLIGHTS
Date of Birth: April 16, 1927
Native Place: Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany
Ordained to Priesthood: June 29, 1951
Archbishop of Munich: March 1977
Elevated to Cardinal: June 1977, by Pope Paul VI
Ratzinger served for 20 years as Pope John Paul II's Chief Theological Adviser
Formally Installed as Pope: Pope Benedict XVI was presented with the "fisherman's ring" and a wool stole, symbols of his role and power as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, at his inaugural Mass on Sunday, April 24, 2005.