Benedict XVI (1927-2022): TopicPope (2005-2013); successor of John Paul II. Born Josef Alois (Joseph Aloisius) Ratzinger in Germany. He entered the seminary in 1939, but his training was interrupted by World War II. Named archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977 and cardinal shortly thereafter, he subsequently served (1981–2005) as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under John Paul II. In February 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign in 600 years, breaking a tradition of life tenure that stretched back to Gregory XII. His stepping down, for reasons of age, was seen by some as establishing a new tradition for the modern era, a time requiring a more active pope. He officially became pope emeritus; Francis was elected to succeed him.