Benedict XVI ( Laitin : Benedictus PP. XVI , German : Benedikt XVI , Italian : Benedetto XVI ; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on 16 Aprile 1927 an deid 31 December 2022) wis the (Twa hundert an saxtie fift) 265th ringin Pape , the heid o the Roman Catholic Kirk an sovereign o Vatican Ceity . He wis electit on 19 Aprile 2005 , in a papal conclave that he moderated ower in his capacity as dean o the College o Cardinals . He slockened his Papal Handsel Mass on 24 Aprile 2005 an wis enthroned in the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano on Mey 7t , 2005 .

Ane o the maist influential academic theologians syne the 1960s an Owthor o mony beuks, he is seen as conservative an a sib ally o his Aforecomer, Pape John Paul II . He serred as Airchbishop o Munich , Prefect o the Congregation for the Lair o the Faith an Dean o the College o Cardinals afore bein makkit the Pape.

The Pape in parteecular emphasizes the need for Europe tae tak back whit he sees as it's vailyies, acause o the increasin secularisation o maist o the Wastren Warld. He visitit Scotland on 16 September 2010 as pairt o a state veesit tae the Unitit Kinrick .

Benedict XVI demittit as Pape on 28 Februar 2013, in the first papal demission syne 1415 , an wis succeedit bi Pape Francis on 13 Mairch.

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