Happy Anniversary of Papal election - Pope Benedict XVI

[MarieT]

17 years ago German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Bishop of Rome, adopting the name Benedict XVI.

Named Vicario of Christ and successor to St. Peter at 78 years old.

In his first speech as the Vicario of Christ he was defined as a 'simple and humble worker in the Lord's vineyard'. He always dreamed of being just a Priest and a professor of theology, so he did not easily adopt the penalties of the office, because the election also took him by surprise.

Benedict XVI stayed in the Cathedral of St. Peter for eight years. He boldly confronted the challenges of the modern era and the crises presented by the Church. He resigned his Pontified in 2013 because of his advanced age. He currently lives in the Mater Eclessiae Monastery inside the Vatican Gardens.