The Universal Church welcomes her new shepherd, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger!

While we will never forget the beautiful life of John Paul II, we extend love and prayers to our new Holy Father. May the Spirit guide and protect him, Vatican officials make him feel welcome, and Catholics everywhere show their support for him.

We can only imagine the conflicting mix of emotions he must be experiencing at this amazing time in history!

Born on April 16, 1927, Ratzinger just celebrated his 78th birthday! He was born in Bavaria, Germany and grew up during the Nazi occupation. He deserted the German Army during World War II and spent time in a POW camp. He was ordained a priest June 29, 1951. He was made Archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977. In June of that year Pope Paul VI named him a Cardinal, and in 1982 he became Cardinal-Bishop. In 1998 he became Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals and then in 2002 was elected as Dean.

In 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed Ratzinger as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith where he served until the death of Pope John Paul II. As the new pope, Benedict XVI will be responsible for appointing his successor to that office.

On a more personal note about Benedict XVI, he is similar to Pope John Paul II in that he is a gifted linguist. He is reported to speak ten different languages. He is also a trained pianist. He is the eighth German pope and is known as a conservative regarding matters of the Faith.

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