Pope Benedict XVI
Apostolic Blessing "Urbi et Orbi"
(April 19, 2005)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,after the great Pope John Paul II, the
Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the
Lord. The fact that the Lord knows how to work
and to act even with inadequate instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust
myself to your prayers. Let us move forward in the joy of the
Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help. The Lord will help us and Mary, his
Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you.
 Pope
Benedict XVI Biography
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith , President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and International
Theological Commission, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was born on 16 April
1927 in Marktlam am Inn, Germany. He was ordained a priest on 29 June 1951. His
father, a police officer, came from a traditional family of farmers from Lower
Baviera. He spent his adolescent years in Traunstein, and was called into the
auxiliary anti-aircraft service in the last months of World War II.
From 1946 to 1951, the year in which he was ordained a priest and began to
teach, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at the
higher school in Freising. In 1953 he obtained a doctorate in theology with a
thesis entitled: "The People and House of God in St. Augustine’s doctrine
of the Church". Four years later, he qualified as a university teacher. He
then taught dogma and fundamental theology at the higher school of philosophy
and theology of Freising, then in Bonn from 1959 to 1969, Münster from 1963 to
1966, Tubinga from 1966 to 1969. From 1969, he was a professor of dogmatic
theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg and Vice
President of the same university. Already in 1962 he was well known when, at the
age of 35, he became a consultor at Vatican Council II, of the Archbishop of
Cologne, Cardinal Joseph Frings.
Among his num erous publications,
a particular post belongs to the ‘Introduction to Christianity’, a
collection of university lessons on the profession of apostolic faith, published
in 1968; Dogma and revelation, ananthology of essays, sermons and reflections
dedicated to the pastoral ministry, published in 1973.
In March 1977, Paul VI elected him Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on
28 May 1977 he was consecrated, the first diocesan priest after 80 years to take
over the pastoral ministry of this large Bavarian diocese. Created and
proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of 27 June 1977, of the Titles
of the Suburbicarian Church of Velletri-Segni (5 April 1993) and Suburbicarian
Church of Ostia (30 November 2002). On 25 November 1981 he was nominated by John
Paul II Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; President of
the Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological
Commission. Elected Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals, 6 November 1998. On
30 November 2002, the Holy Father approved the election, by the order of
cardinal bishops, as Dean of the College of Cardinals. President of the
Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and
after 6 years of work (1986-92) he presented the New Catechism to the Holy
Father.
He was elected Pope on Tuesday 19th April 2005. The Inauguration of his
Ministry as Supreme Pontiff was marked by the celebration of Holy Mass at the
Vatican Basilica. Archbishop Mario Conti, our Apostolic Administrator,
participated in the solemn celebration.
Homily, Mass with Cardinals on
20th April 2005
Homily,
Mass for the Inauguration of Pontificate, 24th April 2005
The Holy Father's Public Addresses and
Homilies can be found by following the link below.
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