Pope+Benedict+XVI

Pope Benedict XVI By: Maddie Wielgus

**- Basic Information **  o **Current City**: Vatican City  o **Hometown**: Traunstein, Germany  o **Sex**: Male o **Birthday**: April 16 1927 o **Political** **Views**: Anti-abortion, anti-war, anti-capital punishment, anti-separation of church and state o **Religious** **Views**: Catholic o **Bio**: My name is Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, otherwise known as Pope Benedict XVI, and I was born at Marktl am Inn, Diocese of Passau on 16 April 1927. This happened to be the same day as Holy Saturday, and also the same day in which I was baptized. I spent my childhood and adolescence in Traunstein, a small village near the Austrian border. In this environment I received my Christian, cultural and human formation. My youthful years were a struggle as I grappled with my faith and the education I received at home. It prepared myself for the harsh experience of those years during which the Nazi regime pursued a hostile attitude towards the Catholic Church. World War II forced my studies to be put on hold until 1945 when I re-entered the seminary. I entered the Herzogliches Georgianum, a theological institute associated with the University of Munich. As I continued my studies here, I received a doctorate in theology, with a thesis entitled "The People and House of God in Augustine's doctrine of the Church". After many years of teaching Catholic theology as a professor, I was eventually elected Archbishop of Munich and Freising by Pope Paul VI. This led to my current job as Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church when I was elected on April 19th, 2005.  o **Favorite** **Quotations**: “We can be sure our beloved pope is standing today at the window of the father's house, that he sees us and blesses us.”

“God is not solitude, but perfect communion. For this reason the human person, the image of God, realizes himself or herself in love, which is a sincere gift of self.

“I too hope in this short reign to be a man of peace.” - **Relationships **  o **Mother** :  Maria Ratzinger (maiden name was Peintner) o **Father** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">: Joseph Alois Ratzinger o <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">**Daughters** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">: N/A o <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">**Sons** : <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: normal;"> N/A o <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">**Brothers** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">: Monsignor Georg Ratzinger o <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">**Sisters** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">: Maria Ratzinger - **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 130%;">Likes and Interest ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;"> o **Activities**: Preaching, waving to fans, resting, blessing o **Interests**: Praying, music, poetry, signing autographs, reading o **Music**: Agape, Ike Ndolo, Inescapable Love, Shine Like the Sun o **Books**: Holy Bible, Prayers: For All Occasions, The Secret of the Rosary o **Movies**: Jesus Christ Superstar, <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The Ten Commandments**,** The Gospel According to St. Matthew, The Mission <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;"> o **Television**: The 700 Club, <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Papal Programming , <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This Is The Day , <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Daily Mass <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 143%;"> **-** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 130%;">Education and Work ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;"> o **High School**: Home-schooled o **College/University**: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> University of Munich <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;"> o **Employer**: Higher School of Freising ,<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dean of the College of Cardinals, Bishop of Rome Pope

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 130%;">- Photos ** **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 143%;">(15 photos; 5 in each album) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">

<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 133%;">ALBUM 1: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 172%;">//Pope Benedict XVI Close Ups// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;"> ** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> <span style="background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 130%;">ALBUM 2: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">//<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 154%;">Pope Benedict XVI Hard At Work // <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">
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<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 143%;">ALBUM 3: ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 184%;">//**Pope Benedict XVI's Life In The Fast Lane**// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 140%;">

<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 124%;">**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 119.7%;">- Groups: ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Explanation:** The Theology List is designed to encourage discussion and debate in all areas of Christian theology. In all discussions, the Bible is assumed the standard to be used for the evaluation of any Christian theological belief. I felt it pertained to myself because I spent my childhood learning about theology and most of my life as a professor teaching theology at universities. I am now the Bishop of Rome where Christian theology is the basis of my job.
 * Group Name 1: Theology_List

Explanation:** This is a discussion of the theology and materials produced by Bill Gothard through his seminars and books, his homeschool curriculum, and other connected ministries. This group is open to those that use and support the materials, those concerned about problems with the materials or the organization, and those just looking for more information. I am curious to see what concerns people may have so that can see perspectives from all sort of people and expand my knowledge. It also encourages people to support their arguments with scriptures and facts from the Bible, something I would excel greatly in.
 * Group Name 2: Gothard_discussion

Explanation:** Spice-line is a fully moderated, Christian based loop for anyone looking to consider home schooling children for religious values. For more than a decade, this group has provided information and encouragement to home schooling families. This group pertains to me because I personally was home schooled as a child and truly benefited from it. It helped me understand how truly important religious was and how it applied to every aspect of my life.
 * Group Name 3: Spice-line

Explanation:** This group is one for anyone looking to expand their minds when it comes to religious beliefs. There are many things we can learn by conversing with those of differing beliefs and arrive at a better understanding of each others perspectives. It is open to both believers and non-believers, and having everyone cooperate would help me see where non-believers are coming from. I could help explain the Christian religion in a variety of ways to open their eyes to new possibilities or ideas.
 * Group Name 4: Christianity_Debate

Explanation:** There are many things I do that are traditions, but many times I have to ask myself where they originated. Is it possible they started out as the truth and grew into a tradition that has no meaning? There are many possibilities of how traditions began, and this group discusses this with a Christian perspective. I have a mind for learning about God and His Son Jesus Christ, and I constantly wonder things of this nature. This group helps me grasp a better understanding of certain questions God has left me with.
 * Group Name 5: TruthorTradition

Explanation:** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Trinity Question is a group that asks countless questions about Christianity. People have millions of perspectives and theories about the religion. It is my job to answer their questions as best as I can, considering the knowledge I have on the topic. This group encourages people to look up their questions in the Bible, as I do. It is our job to seek the truth based on God's path he created for each of us.
 * Group Name 6: TrinityQuestion

Explanation:** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Whichversion is a group dedicated to discussing the Bible and its many translations it can have. I have grown up learning about the Bible and reading it each and every day. I, too, consider the many possible translations certain passages can have. Hearing other people's theories and ideas I may not have considered helps me expand my mind, and as the Bishop of Rome it is my job to be welcoming to all people and their thoughts.
 * Group Name 7: Whichversion

Explanation:** "Called Out" is an information service about LGBT religious concerns sponsored by Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgenders. As the Pope, I accept every single person in this world. As a fellow Christian, it does not matter what sins you have committed or who you are. I will love and treat everyone equally despite your sexual orientation and other people's opinions of it. I want my people to feel connected to me and know everyone is accepted in the Church of God.
 * Group Name 8: UMCalledOut

Explanation:** Judah Sanctuary is a group dedicated to raise up disciples who will build the body of Christ through a presentation of the scripture. This is my hope for all people, to see each other as equals and live their lives only to spread the word of God. My mission is to disciple others through the power of unbiased teaching, preaching, and healing from the Word of God. I believe the prayer of faith can achieve miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is my wish that one day all people can believe that.
 * Group Name 9: judahsanctuary

Explanation:** This group pertains to me because I spend hours praying every day, for myself and others in the world. This group takes all Brothers and Sisters of Christ and asks them to pray together for each others needs. We all need support in a time of need, whether it is the death of a loved one or simply a problem in one's life. The love of one another can be enough for one to struggle through a tough time one is having. This is a powerful group that I hope will spread and become a regular ritual throughout the world; if we stick together we can achieve anything.
 * Group Name 10: friendsprayergroup

<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 122%;">**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Quizzes: ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> - Results:** Romance novel
 * Quiz 1: What kind of novel are you?
 * - Explanation:** I was first interested in this quiz as I have been an avid reader throughout life, and reach out to the Bible as a basis for life. Though I do not have much experience in romance personally, I live surrounded by it each day. This type of novel describes the type of lifestyle I endure as I teach my people to love everyone despite the sins they may have committed. This type of novel does not lose its charm over time, and nor does being the Pope. My job is surrounded by people loving and learning to love one another no matter what the circumstances are.

- Results:** Soaking up the sun
 * Quiz 2: How should you spend your summer?
 * - Explanation:** I was first interested in this quiz because of the upcoming summer season approaching. My job as the Pope consists of long, hard working days without a chance for a break. There are always people that need guidance or advice, something I am always willing to give. However, it would be nice to be able to go outside and relax from time to time this summer, "soaking up the sun". Everyone deserves a break, and considering how dedicated I am to my job, I rarely have one.

- Results:** Misty Secrecy
 * Quiz 3: What kind of feeling are you?
 * - Explanation:** With my job being the Pope, I deal with countless people's feelings and try my best to do what I can to satisfy their needs. Misty secrecy relates to my personality because naturally I observe what is going on with my people and the world. I am simply an onlooker, leaving people wanting to find out more about me. I am dedicated to loving my supporters and doing my job, so people respect me and are fascinated to see what I will do next.

- Results:** Earth
 * Quiz 4: What is your power?
 * - Explanation:** I was interested to see what my results would be for this quiz because some people think of me as having power since I am the utmost religious leader. The power Earth pertains to me because it is the natural power to give life to and controls nature. It is believed that God is the one who created earth, making it ironic because of my strong connection with God. This is also the power that can heal, and I like to think I "heal" people when I give them my blessing or preach to them.

- Results:** T-shirt <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">
 * Quiz 5: What article of clothing are you?
 * - Explanation:** I was interested in this quiz because I usually have to wear the same outfit every day as the Pope. A T-shirt pertains to me because when one wears a T-shirt, they are not trying too hard on their appearance. As the Pope, my people do not care about how I look, but rather they care about the job I'm doing and how well I can perform. A T-shirt represents my nonchalant feelings about people's appearance and what they are wearing; I care only about what is on the inside.