† † † Pope Benedict XVI † † †

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was born at Marktl am Inn,

Diocese of Passau, Germany on April 16, 1927 (Holy Saturday) and was

baptized on the same day. He spent his childhood and adolescence in

Traunstein, a small village near the Austrian border, thirty kilometres from

from Salzburg. From 1946 to 1951 he studied philosophy and theology in

the Higher School of Philosophy and Theology of Freising and at the

University of Munich. He received his priestly ordination on June 29, 1951.

The morning of April 24, 2005, Pope Benedict, elected April 19, 2005,

walked down to the tomb of the martyred St. Peter in the Vatican basilica

to pay homage to the first bishop of Rome. Then, with some 150 cardinals,

he processed into a sun-bathed St. Peter's Square to begin the Mass and

receive the main symbols of his office: the fisherman's ring and the pallium.

In a liturgy rich with symbols and promises, Pope Benedict XVI

formally began his ministry as head of the Universal Church, and

Catholics from around the world pledged their love and obedience to him.

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Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

Loving God, we thank you for the selection of

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI.

Send your Spirit into his heart,

empower him to lead your people with courage,

compassion, wisdom, with vision.

Empower your Church to follow his leadership

as we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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