Pope Benedict XVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger; 1927 – 2022) was bishop of Rome, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. Benedict’s election as pope occurred in the 2005 papal conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II. Upon his resignation, Benedict chose to be known as “Pope emeritus”, a title he held until his death in 2022.



