POPE BENEDICT XVI

Pope Benedict XVII was born in "Marktl on the Inn River" Bavaria, a small village in what was known as upper Bavaria. Yes, the future pope was a Bavarian, although he is currently known as a German. He is the second German pope, the last German poped was selected nearly five hundred years ago. So it is a momentous occassion that one of Pope John Paul II's most trusted associates, Cardinal Ratzinger, should be chosen as the Pope to lead the Catholic church into the 21st century.

Why Choose the Name Benedict?

The reason Cardinal Ratzinger chose the name Benedict is because the last Pope named Benedict served during the first world war, a time of unprecedented death by warfare on a worldwide scale. Cardinal Ratzinger felt that we too live in a time of too much warfare, and he wanted to signal by the choice of his name that he would be a peacemaker.

Pope Benedict the sixteenth is known as a highly spiritual person. He impressed millions with the homily he gave at the funeral mass for Pope John Paul II. Most people know the current Pope from his role as a conservator of Catholic rules, some calling him aggressive. But those who know him personally will attest that he is a very spiritual man whose humbleness and warmth could literally fill a room. Indeed, it has been said that his presence gave tender comfort to the dying pope, who confided his deepest thoughts with Cardinal Ratzinger.

Doctrine of Ratzinger
Pope Benedict XVI is a holy man of deep spiritual dimensions. He is also a highly intelligent person. He can speak ten languages,has written many books and even more articles, and is well known for the depth of his theological knowledge.

Cardinal Ratzingers beliefs run toward conserving traditional Catholic beliefs, just like most any other Catholic believer. He was heavily involved in the Vatican II reforms of the Catholic Church that sought to bring more inclusion and modernization. The Cardinal is in many ways more of a believer in the power of Jesus Christ, first and foremost.

Books by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI:

His newest book:
Pilgrim Fellowship Of Faith: The Church As Communion

Read an Interview with Pope Benedict, required reading for all who wish to know the Pope:

Salt of the Earth: Christianity and the Catholic Church at the End of the Millennium : An Interview with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
by Joseph Ratzinger

Here are other books by Pope Benedict XVI

Milestones: Memoirs 1927-1977
by Cardinal Ratzinger, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Truth And Tolerance: Christian Belief And World Religions -- by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Introduction to Christianity -- by Joseph Ratzinger

God Is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life -- by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

The Spirit of the Liturgy -- by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

In the Beginning...: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall -- by Joseph Ratzinger

Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today -- by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Truth And Tolerance: Christian Belief And World Religions
by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

POPE BENEDICT VXI