The Holy See, home of the Holy FathersBenedict XVI - 19.IV.2005
Pope
Benedict XVI was born on 16 April 1927 at Marktl am Inn in Germany as Joseph
Ratzinger. He spent his childhood and adolescence in Traunstein near the
Austrian border. Between 1946 and 1951 he studied philosophy and theology
in the Higher School of Philosophy and Theology of Freising and at the University
of Munich. He received his priestly ordination on 29 June 1951. He obtained
his doctorate in theology in 1953. On 25 March 1977 Pope Paul VI named him
Archbishop of Munich and Freising. Paul VI made him a Cardinal on June 27,
1977. In 1978 he took part in the Conclave of 25 and 26 August which elected
John Paul I. In October of the same year he took part in the Conclave that
elected Pope John Paul II. On 25 November 1981 John Paul II named him Prefect
of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and President of the Pontifical
Biblical Commission and of the International Theological Commission. On
April 19, 2005 he was elected Pope at the Conclave.
Pope Benedict XVI books
Pictures of Pope Benedict XVI
John Paul II - 16.X.1978 - 2.IV.2005
On
May 18, 1920 John Paul II was born as Karol Józef Wojtyla in Wadowice
in Poland. In 1942 he begon seminary courses in Krakow. On November 1, 1946
he was ordained to the priesthood. In 1948 he finished his doctorate in
theology of the Jagiellonian University. On July 4, 1958, he was appointed
titular bishop of Ombi and auxiliary of Krakow by Pope Pius XII. On January
13, 1964, he was appointed archbishop of Krakow by Pope Paul VI, who made
him a cardinal June 26, 1967. On October 16, 1978 he was elected Pope at
the Conclave and took the name of John Paul II. His pontificate lasted nearly
27 years. At 9.37 p.m on 2 April a.D. John Paul II died. more than three
million pilgrims came to Rome to pay homage to the mortal remains of the
Pope. The normal five-year waiting period before beginning the cause of
beatification and canonization would be waived for John Paul II. The cause
was officially opened on June 28 2005.
Pope John Paul II books and music
Pictures of Pope John Paul II