Ben·e·dict XVI, Pope /ˌbenədɪkt ðə sɪksˈtiːnθ/ BrE AmE
(1927-) a German ↑ cardinal who was elected Pope in April 2005. His BIRTH NAME is Joseph Alois Ratzinger. He is known as a strong supporter of traditional Roman Catholic beliefs and values. He was a Professor of ↑ theology at various German universities before becoming the Archbishop of Munich and Freising (1977–1982) and later Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (1981–2005).