Religious Leader
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He was ordained as a priest the year he turned 24, and became Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith the year he turned 54.
Pope Benedict XVI was born in 1927 and lived to age 95. Anyone born before 1927 is older than Pope. Anyone over 95 is older than Pope ever was.
Pope Benedict XVI was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany and died on December 31, 2022 at the age of 95. Pope would be 99 years old today.
Pope Benedict XVI would be 99 years old in 2026 and would have turned 99 on April 16, 2026. Pope Benedict XVI's age in every year ↓
Born
April 16, 1927
Died
December 31, 2022
World pop. at birth
~2B
Pope's age at death
95
Your age
20
Are you older than Pope Benedict XVI?
No — Pope Benedict XVI was born in 1927. You were born in 2006, making you 79 years younger. Pope lived to age 95. You are currently 20, so you are not yet older than Pope was when he died.
At your age (20), Pope hadn't yet reached his first major milestone: he was ordained as a priest the year he turned 24. That's 4 years from now for you.
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Pope Benedict XVI
Lived to 95
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Pope's Life Timeline
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, known as Pope Benedict XVI, was born on April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He grew up in a devout Catholic family, which influenced his early education and spiritual development. He joined the seminary at a young age and was ordained a priest in 1951, eventually becoming a prominent theologian and a professor of dogmatic theology.
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Benedict XVI became the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981, a position he held until his election as pope in 2005. He was elected as the 265th pope after the death of Pope John Paul II and served until his resignation in 2013, making him the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years. During his papacy, he emphasized the importance of faith and reason, addressed issues such as the sexual abuse crisis in the Church, and made significant efforts to improve relations with other religions.
After his resignation, Benedict XVI took the title of Pope Emeritus and lived in the Vatican until his death on December 31, 2022. His legacy includes a commitment to theological scholarship and a focus on the challenges facing the modern Church. He is remembered for his humility and dedication to the Catholic faith, as well as for his unprecedented decision to step down from the papacy.
Ordained as a priest
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was 24 years old when he was ordained as a priest in 1951. This event marked the beginning of his long and influential career within the Catholic Church, where he would later rise to significant positions of leadership.
Pope Benedict XVI turned 24 in 1951, the year he was ordained as a priest. Are you older than Pope was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Became Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was 54 years old when he became the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981. This role placed him at the forefront of doctrinal issues within the Church and solidified his reputation as a leading theologian.
Pope Benedict XVI turned 54 in 1981, the year he became Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Are you older than Pope was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Was elected as Pope
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was 78 years old when he was elected as Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. His election followed the death of Pope John Paul II and marked the beginning of a significant papacy focused on faith, reason, and interfaith dialogue.
Pope Benedict XVI turned 78 in 2005, the year he was elected as Pope. Are you older than Pope was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Published 'Jesus of Nazareth'
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was 80 years old when he published 'Jesus of Nazareth' in 2007. This work reflected his theological insights and was part of his effort to engage with contemporary issues facing the Church.
Pope Benedict XVI turned 80 in 2007, the year he published 'Jesus of Nazareth'. Are you older than Pope was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Addressed the sexual abuse crisis
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was 85 years old when he addressed the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in 2012. His acknowledgment of the issue marked a significant moment in the Church's efforts to confront past abuses and restore trust.
Pope Benedict XVI turned 85 in 2012, the year he addressed the sexual abuse crisis. Are you older than Pope was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Resigned as Pope
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was 86 years old when he resigned as Pope in 2013. His resignation was a historic event, as he became the first pope to step down in nearly 600 years, citing his declining health as the reason.
Pope Benedict XVI turned 86 in 2013, the year he resigned as Pope. Are you older than Pope was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Died
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was 95 years old when he died on December 31, 2022. His passing marked the end of a significant chapter in the history of the Catholic Church, reflecting on his contributions and the impact of his papacy.
Pope Benedict XVI turned 95 in 2022, the year he died. Are you older than Pope was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by year
How old was Pope Benedict XVI in each year?
- 2026
- Pope Benedict XVI would be 99 years old in 2026 and would have turned 99 on April 16, 2026.
- 1951
- Pope Benedict XVI was 23 at the start of 1951 and turned 24 on April 16, 1951. That year, he was ordained as a priest.
- 1981
- Pope Benedict XVI was 53 at the start of 1981 and turned 54 on April 16, 1981. That year, he became Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
- 2007
- Pope Benedict XVI was 79 at the start of 2007 and turned 80 on April 16, 2007. That year, he published 'Jesus of Nazareth'.
- 2012
- Pope Benedict XVI was 84 at the start of 2012 and turned 85 on April 16, 2012. That year, he addressed the sexual abuse crisis.
Pope Benedict XVI's age in every year
Ages change on April 16: the first number is before that birthday, the second after it.
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- 202294 → 95 years old
