Who became the new Pope on April 24, 2005?

Pope Benedict XVI became the new pope in 2005, and his papal inauguration took place on April 24 of that year. Born Joseph Ratzinger, he was elected by the conclave following the death of Pope John Paul II.

Ratzinger was a German cardinal and a major Vatican theologian before his election. He had served as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, making him one of the Catholic Church’s most influential guardians of doctrine. After becoming pope, he chose the name Benedict XVI, honoring both Pope Benedict XV and Saint Benedict of Nursia.

The date can cause confusion: the conclave elected him on April 19, 2005, while April 24 marked the public inauguration Mass at St. Peter’s Square. He became the Catholic Church’s 265th pope and served until his resignation in February 2013.

Benedict’s resignation was historic because he became the first pope in centuries to step down voluntarily. He was succeeded by Pope Francis, elected in March 2013.