Today the Vatican shook, and the pillars of Catholicism trembled as the reverberations traveled throughout the world. Pope Benedict XVI, The Holy See of Rome has announced his resignation, effective February 28 2013. In a peculiar move which has not been witnessed in over 600 years. The 265th Pope has announced he will relinquish his seat of power as head of the Catholic church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. Speculation continues to grow as to why the Pope unexpectedly decided to part with tradition.
The official story is the 86 year old Pontiff is in poor health, no longer able to perform his Papalic duties effectively. Among Catholics and worshipers of all walks of life, Pope Benedict has become a well respected force for good. His history within the church is extensive and traces back to his home country of Germany.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger 16 April 1927 in Markti, Bavaria, Germany. The youngest of three siblings, Joseph became interested in the seminary life early on in his childhood.
At age five Ratzinger was among a group welcoming then Cardinal Archbishop of Munich to Fresing Cathedral. For the first time Ratzinger encountered a Cardinal in holy regalia. Intrigued by the Cardinals appearance, he told his parents that day he wanted to become a cardinal. His illustrious career in religion began with a degree from Maximilian University in 1951 the same year he was ordained. In 1953 Father Joesph Ratzinger completed his dissertation on St. Augustine.
It was titled The People and the House of GodAugustine's Doctrine of the Church. From there he has gone all the way to the pinnacle of religious leadership. As a respected theologic scholar he has held various professorships including a role as Peritus (theologic consultant) to the Cardinal Frings of Cologne. Through out his career Ratzinger has served in many capacities and authored several highly influential religious writings. Including: The Dominus Lesus, the Communio, the Noestra Aetete a document on respect for other religions to name a few. On 24 March 1977, Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising. Subsequently in June of that year he was named Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino by Pope Paul VI. Then again in November of 1981 he was exalted by Pope John Paul II, this time as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On 19 April 2005, Ratzinger was elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II on the second day of the papal conclave after four ballots. Ratzinger had hoped to retire peacefully and said that "At a certain point, I prayed to God 'please don't do this to me'...Evidently, this time He didn't listen to me. Recently Cardinal Edmund Szoka who worked with directly with the Pope at the Vatican commented: "the outgoing head of the church has brought a high level of scholarship and intellectuality to the job". Another Cardinal stated: "If there is one thing that stands out to me about Pope Benedict it is his reverence for theologic studies". One of the more interesting facts about this Pope can actually be traced back to his years as Bishop of Freising and Munich. Within the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Fresing and the Municipality of upper and lower Bavaria lies an age old mystery. The crowned head of an unknown Black man, specifically called a Moorhead. What if anything could this have to do with the Pope Benedict's resignation?
The Crowned Moorhead is a heraldic symbol that extends back to the 7th century A.D. It can also be found within the official flag Munich Germany. The mystery is no one claims to know its true meaning of origin and beyond that, know one seems to know exactly who he is. Confusion has surrounded this mysterious figure of medieval German origin for a long long time. Interestingly enough, the Roman Pontiff himself claims to be unaware of the true identity of the symbol born on his Papal Coat of Arms.
Traditionally each elected Pope to the See of Rome voluntarily selects their own personal Coat of Arms and Motto.
Papa Ratzinger decided to retain this mysterious and aged symbol of heraldic nobility as his personal Coat of Arms when he became Pope. The Vatican's official explanation suggests it could be one of the three Magi (Three Wiseman), Saint Corbinian or possibly even the first Bishop of Fresing. Historically speaking, the Moorhead is found through out the continent of ancient Europe. It is largely associated with royal families and the nobility of Europe, and was thus said to represent: Wisdom, Beauty and Strength. In any case this information should be viewed objectively, and put into context with the kind of leadership Pope Benedict has displayed throughout his reign.
So what does this tell us about Pope Benedict XVI ?
It seems to fit the narrative that there is something really special about this symbol, and something exceedingly special about the only Pope ever to associate it with their personal symbolism. Observing the works of the successor of St. Peter one can easily recognize his appreciation for traditional customs as well as traditional adherence to scriptural morals. As a faithful servant Pope Benidict has not exactly been in line with popular opinion on such matters as gay marriage and homosexuality in general. Could this have had any baring on his astounding decision to renounce his authority? We may never know exactly why but we can read between the lines.
As the Pope winds down to the last day of his tenure the conclusion many have arrived at, is he may have been one of the greatest modern religious figures of our time. In truth, many agree that Pope Benedict has remained stedfast to the original ideals of the Catholic Church no matter whom or what. In conclusion Pope Benedict has proven to be a worthy apostle of Peter and champion of all good willed people of the world. The Popes Motto is (cooperatores veritatis) translated: "cooperators of the truth", and indeed he is and has been. Pope Benedict XVI will forever be remembered as a stalwart of the true teachings of the Christ, and a model spirit endowed with faith, truth and love for all. This holy Pontiff has truly embodied the hope and goodness of the masses and will be sincerely missed!
The official story is the 86 year old Pontiff is in poor health, no longer able to perform his Papalic duties effectively. Among Catholics and worshipers of all walks of life, Pope Benedict has become a well respected force for good. His history within the church is extensive and traces back to his home country of Germany.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger 16 April 1927 in Markti, Bavaria, Germany. The youngest of three siblings, Joseph became interested in the seminary life early on in his childhood.
At age five Ratzinger was among a group welcoming then Cardinal Archbishop of Munich to Fresing Cathedral. For the first time Ratzinger encountered a Cardinal in holy regalia. Intrigued by the Cardinals appearance, he told his parents that day he wanted to become a cardinal. His illustrious career in religion began with a degree from Maximilian University in 1951 the same year he was ordained. In 1953 Father Joesph Ratzinger completed his dissertation on St. Augustine.
It was titled The People and the House of GodAugustine's Doctrine of the Church. From there he has gone all the way to the pinnacle of religious leadership. As a respected theologic scholar he has held various professorships including a role as Peritus (theologic consultant) to the Cardinal Frings of Cologne. Through out his career Ratzinger has served in many capacities and authored several highly influential religious writings. Including: The Dominus Lesus, the Communio, the Noestra Aetete a document on respect for other religions to name a few. On 24 March 1977, Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising. Subsequently in June of that year he was named Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino by Pope Paul VI. Then again in November of 1981 he was exalted by Pope John Paul II, this time as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On 19 April 2005, Ratzinger was elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II on the second day of the papal conclave after four ballots. Ratzinger had hoped to retire peacefully and said that "At a certain point, I prayed to God 'please don't do this to me'...Evidently, this time He didn't listen to me. Recently Cardinal Edmund Szoka who worked with directly with the Pope at the Vatican commented: "the outgoing head of the church has brought a high level of scholarship and intellectuality to the job". Another Cardinal stated: "If there is one thing that stands out to me about Pope Benedict it is his reverence for theologic studies". One of the more interesting facts about this Pope can actually be traced back to his years as Bishop of Freising and Munich. Within the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Fresing and the Municipality of upper and lower Bavaria lies an age old mystery. The crowned head of an unknown Black man, specifically called a Moorhead. What if anything could this have to do with the Pope Benedict's resignation?
The Crowned Moorhead is a heraldic symbol that extends back to the 7th century A.D. It can also be found within the official flag Munich Germany. The mystery is no one claims to know its true meaning of origin and beyond that, know one seems to know exactly who he is. Confusion has surrounded this mysterious figure of medieval German origin for a long long time. Interestingly enough, the Roman Pontiff himself claims to be unaware of the true identity of the symbol born on his Papal Coat of Arms.
Traditionally each elected Pope to the See of Rome voluntarily selects their own personal Coat of Arms and Motto.
Papa Ratzinger decided to retain this mysterious and aged symbol of heraldic nobility as his personal Coat of Arms when he became Pope. The Vatican's official explanation suggests it could be one of the three Magi (Three Wiseman), Saint Corbinian or possibly even the first Bishop of Fresing. Historically speaking, the Moorhead is found through out the continent of ancient Europe. It is largely associated with royal families and the nobility of Europe, and was thus said to represent: Wisdom, Beauty and Strength. In any case this information should be viewed objectively, and put into context with the kind of leadership Pope Benedict has displayed throughout his reign.
So what does this tell us about Pope Benedict XVI ?
It seems to fit the narrative that there is something really special about this symbol, and something exceedingly special about the only Pope ever to associate it with their personal symbolism. Observing the works of the successor of St. Peter one can easily recognize his appreciation for traditional customs as well as traditional adherence to scriptural morals. As a faithful servant Pope Benidict has not exactly been in line with popular opinion on such matters as gay marriage and homosexuality in general. Could this have had any baring on his astounding decision to renounce his authority? We may never know exactly why but we can read between the lines.
As the Pope winds down to the last day of his tenure the conclusion many have arrived at, is he may have been one of the greatest modern religious figures of our time. In truth, many agree that Pope Benedict has remained stedfast to the original ideals of the Catholic Church no matter whom or what. In conclusion Pope Benedict has proven to be a worthy apostle of Peter and champion of all good willed people of the world. The Popes Motto is (cooperatores veritatis) translated: "cooperators of the truth", and indeed he is and has been. Pope Benedict XVI will forever be remembered as a stalwart of the true teachings of the Christ, and a model spirit endowed with faith, truth and love for all. This holy Pontiff has truly embodied the hope and goodness of the masses and will be sincerely missed!