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The Catholic Youth Bible, the Bible for Catholic Teens

Welcoming Pope Benedict XVI

On three different occasions, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger asked Pope John Paul II to let him go home and retire. Since the early '80's, he was the highly visible leader of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith. It was not a job he wanted, nor was it a job he wanted to keep. His desire was to quietly return to his native Bavaria to read and write theology. But God had other plans. Pope John Paul II urged him to stay in Rome, and on April 19, 2005, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was elected to serve the Church as her supreme pastor. He took the name Benedict XVI and now begins his ministry. As he embarks on this journey of service, we invite you to use the resources below to learn about him, his vision for the Church and to pray for the Lord to guide his ministry.

The articles and prayer services below are for your use with young people.

Biography of Pope Benedict XVI	The following is the official biography of Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican Information Service.
Prayer Service for His Holiness Benedict XVI	As Pope Benedict XVI begins his ministry, your young people and you can pray for him through a reflection on Scripture, his writings and a litany of Roman saints and martyrs.
A Prayer for His Holiness	Here is a brief prayer for His Holiness that can be used to begin your classes, sessions or meetings.
The First Address from Pope Benedict XVI	In his first address as pope, Benedict XVI sets a tone for his papacy: dialogue, evangelization, solidarity with the poor and love for young people.
Did you know?	Interesting facts to share with your students about the papacy.
Frequently Asked Questions	Here are some frequently asked questions about the pope to share with your students.
Electing a New Pope	This resource outlines the process of electing a new pope.