Benedict XVI (April 19, 2005 - February 28, 2013)

Benedict XVI is pope emeritus of the Catholic Church, according to <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/12/us-pope-succession-idUSBRE92808520130312">Reuters</a>. He was the oldest cardinal to become pope since Pope Clement XII in 1730, and he was the first pope to step down from the papacy on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294. Born Joseph Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany, he previously served as Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany.

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( Getty Images / March 12, 2013 )

Benedict XVI is pope emeritus of the Catholic Church, according to Reuters. He was the oldest cardinal to become pope since Pope Clement XII in 1730, and he was the first pope to step down from the papacy on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294. Born Joseph Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany, he previously served as Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany.

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