Here is a timeline of Pope Benedict XVI’s life and achievements:
1927: Born on April 16 in Marktl am Inn, Germany as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger
1951: Ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising
1953: Earns a doctorate in theology from the University of Munich
1953-1977: Serves as a professor of theology at the University of Bonn and later at the University of Regensburg
1977: Appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising
1981: Named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II
1982-2005: Serves as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
2005: Elected pope on April 19, succeeding Pope John Paul II
2006: Makes his first foreign trip as pope, visiting Bavaria, Germany
2006: Makes a historic visit to a synagogue in Rome, becoming the first pope to do so since the early days of Christianity
2006: Makes a controversial speech at the University of Regensburg, in which he quotes a medieval emperor who made negative comments about Islam, leading to widespread protests in the Muslim world
2009: Makes his first visit to the United States as pope, meeting with President Barack Obama and addressing the United Nations
2010: Makes a historic visit to the United Kingdom, becoming the first pope to do so since the English Reformation
2013: Announces his intention to resign as pope due to his advanced age and declining health
2013: Steps down as pope on February 28, becoming the first pope to do so since Pope Gregory XII in 1415
2013-2021: Retires to a monastery within the Vatican City and remains active as a writer and theologian
2022: Dies on Dec 31 at the age of 95
