Pope Benedict XVI with Federal President Christian Wulff in front of Bellevue Palace in Berlin (2011) - Catholic Stock Photo

Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013^[1]. He was 78 when elected pope and made five foreign journeys each in both 2010 and 2011^[2]. His papacy testified to both a scholarly churchman, having extensively studied theology and philosophy, and pastoral sensitivity^[3]. He resigned at age 85 citing declining health and his “advanced age”^[4][5]. In 2011 he visited Federal President Christian Wulff in front of Bellevue Palace in Berlin^[5].