zum Benedikt Anliegen

Click here

for Benedict’s cause

A formidable team: Joseph Ratzinger and Pope John Paul II

A formidable team: Joseph Ratzinger and Pope John Paul II

The newly elected Pope John Paul II (left) and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Archbishop of Munich and Freising in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on October 22, 1978.

Joseph Ratzinger (left), Archbishop of Munich and Freising, and Pope John Paul II at the Vatican on November 5, 1979.

The Pope from Poland on a visit to Munich. John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Archbishop of Munich and Freising greet the faithful from the Popemobile while riding through Munich on November 19, 1980. Pope John Paul II visited Germany from November 15-19, 1980.

Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1980. Ratzinger was then Archbishop of Munich and Freising. In 1982 John Paul II brought him to Rome and appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

A visit to John Paul II from Bavaria, Joseph Ratzinger’s homeland. On April 27, 1987, the Pope received a 220-man delegation from the Great Honor Guard of the Bavarian Alpine Militia. The militiamen presented him with a shepherd’s horn as a gift.

As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Joseph Ratzinger was one of John Paul II’s closest collaborators.

A picture seen all around the world: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger presides over the funeral service for Pope John Paul II on April 8, 2005 in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. A short time later, Ratzinger was elected as successor to John Paul II by the cardinals in the papal conclave.

Pope Benedict XVI prays at the tomb of his predecessor, May 2, 2005. John Paul II died on April 2, 2005.

The Petrine Ministry is about following the Cross: During the Good Friday liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 18, 2003, Cardinal Ratzinger hands the cross to John Paul II for the Veneration of the Cross.

Pope Benedict XVI presents a painting of John Paul II during a visit to Wadowice, the hometown of his predecessor. This photo was taken on May 27, 2006.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI participates in the Canonization Mass for John Paul II. Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II were canonized on April 27, 2014 at a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

John Paul II and Cardinal Ratzinger at a meeting on December 22, 2003.