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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (1927–2022) Tribute List

January 5, 2023
By Vocabulary.com (NY)Visual Thesaurus Moderator
Before becoming pope, Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) emerged as a top 20th century theologian and was a theological consultant at all four Vatican II sessions. During Pope John Paul II's papacy, Cardinal Ratzinger held several prominent positions in the Roman Curia in addition to presiding over the publication of the updated Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992). In 2005, he was elected the 265th Roman Catholic pope, but in 2013 resigned due to "lack of strength of mind and body," when he became "Pope Emeritus," the first retired pope since 1415. Benedict XVI's papacy saw a return to fundamental Christian values, conservative views, and traditional practices to counter increased secularism. However, his handling of sexual abuse cases within the Church led to substantial criticism. This tribute highlights his legacy through speeches, news, and biographical articles.
resign
The Catholic Church has pretty clear rules for what to do when a pope dies. However, Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 and was succeeded by the current pontiff, Pope Francis. Benedict was the first pope to resign from his position in more than 600 years, and that gave him a special status known as Pope Emeritus — essentially, a retired pope.
– CNN
emeritus
The Catholic Church has pretty clear rules for what to do when a pope dies. However, Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 and was succeeded by the current pontiff, Pope Francis. Benedict was the first pope to resign from his position in more than 600 years, and that gave him a special status known as Pope Emeritus – essentially, a retired pope.
– CNN
theologian
The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said Pope Benedict was "one of the great theologians of the 20th century".
– BBC
polarize
As Vatican doctrinal watchdog, Ratzinger [Pope Benedict] became a polarizing figure: He disciplined dissident theologians, and he upheld church opposition to female priests and married priests as well as same-sex marriage.
– NPR
dissident
As Vatican doctrinal watchdog, Ratzinger [Pope Benedict] became a polarizing figure: He disciplined dissident theologians, and he upheld church opposition to female priests and married priests as well as same-sex marriage.
– NPR
papacy
His papacy faced several challenges, including a decline in vocations and church attendance, divisive debates concerning the direction of the church, and the effects of the scandal beginning in the late 1990s surrounding the church’s handling of numerous cases of sexual abuse by priests.
– Britannica
divisive
His papacy faced several challenges, including a decline in vocations and church attendance, divisive debates concerning the direction of the church, and the effects of the scandal beginning in the late 1990s surrounding the church’s handling of numerous cases of sexual abuse by priests.
– Britannica
scandal
His papacy faced several challenges, including a decline in vocations and church attendance, divisive debates concerning the direction of the church, and the effects of the scandal beginning in the late 1990s surrounding the church’s handling of numerous cases of sexual abuse by priests.
– Britannica
solidarity
Mr. Biden singled out the pope's remarks during a 2008 visit to the White House in which the former pontiff said "the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever, if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity".
– BBC
dignity
Mr. Biden singled out the pope's remarks during a 2008 visit to the White House in which the former pontiff said "the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever, if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity".
– BBC
orthodoxy
Benedict also indicated that he would maintain his predecessor's conservative orthodoxy on matters of sexuality, priestly celibacy, and ecclesiastical organization.
– Britannica
celibacy
Benedict also indicated that he would maintain his predecessor's conservative orthodoxy on matters of sexuality, priestly celibacy, and ecclesiastical organization.
– Britannica
ecclesiastical
Benedict also indicated that he would maintain his predecessor's conservative orthodoxy on matters of sexuality, priestly celibacy, and ecclesiastical organization.
– Britannica
affluence
"While the poor of the world continue knocking on the doors of the rich, the world of affluence runs the risk of no longer hearing those knocks, on account of a conscience that can no longer distinguish what is human."
– Pope Benedict XVI, National Catholic Reporter
conscience
"While the poor of the world continue knocking on the doors of the rich, the world of affluence runs the risk of no longer hearing those knocks, on account of a conscience that can no longer distinguish what is human."
– Pope Benedict XVI, National Catholic Reporter
intolerance
Their task is to propose a vision of faith not in terms of intolerance, discrimination and conflict, but in terms of complete respect for truth, coexistence, rights, and reconciliation.
– Speech to United Nations
discrimination
Their task is to propose a vision of faith not in terms of intolerance, discrimination and conflict, but in terms of complete respect for truth, coexistence, rights, and reconciliation.
– Speech to United Nations
reconciliation
Their task is to propose a vision of faith not in terms of intolerance, discrimination and conflict, but in terms of complete respect for truth, coexistence, rights, and reconciliation.
– Speech to United Nations

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