Photos: The ascension of Pope Benedict XVI
February 26, 2013
UNDATED - JULY 8, 1951: Joseph Ratzinger (2nd R) is shown with his family; brother Georg (2nd L), father Josef (R), sister Maria (L,) and mother Maria on the day of the two brothers' ordination to the priesthood July 8, 1951. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope April 19, 2005 and has taken the name Benedict XVI. (Photo by German Catholic News Agency KNA via Getty Images)
Munich, GERMANY: A file photo taken in 1943 during World War II shows Joseph Ratzinger as a German Air Force assistant. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City, becoming Pope Benedict XVI. STF/AFP/Getty Images
Reproduction of a picture dated 1951 shows Georg and Josef Ratzinger (R) during their ordination in Freising, southern Germany. Germany's Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on 19 April 2005 and will take the name Benedict XVI, the Vatican announced. REPRODUCTION TIMM SCHAMBERGER/AFP/Getty Images
A portrait taken in 1959 shows Joseph Ratzinger at this time professor of dogmatic theology in Freising. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City, becoming Pope Benedict XVI. KNA-Bild/AFP/Getty Images
Reproduction of a picture dated 1951 shows the ordination ceremony in Freising, southern Germany, in which brothers Georg and Josef Ratzinger took part. Germany's Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on 19 April 2005 and will take the name Benedict XVI, the Vatican announced. REPRODUCTION TIMM SCHAMBERGER/AFP/Getty Images
A photo taken during the summer 1952 near Ruhpolding, shows German priest Joseph Ratzinger (C) praying during a open-air mass. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City, becoming Pope Benedict XVI. KNA-BILD/AFP/Getty Images
This photo taken June 7, 1977 shows German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (R) at the Vatican city next to Cardinals Benelli (2nd R), Gantin (C), Tomazek (2nd L) and Gappi (L). Benin's Cardinal Gantin died on May 13, 2008 in Paris at the age of 85, according to an official source in Cotonou. STF/AFP/Getty Images
A photo taken during the 85th German Catholics Days in Freiburg between 13 and 17 September 1978 shows the Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (C) praying next to Mother Teresa. Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City, becoming Pope Benedict XVI. KNA-BILD/AFP/Getty Images
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (C) hugs the founder of the ecumenical Taize community Brother Roger in Munich, 18 November 1978. KNA/AFP/Getty Images
With the towers of Munich's cathedral in the background, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger bids farewell to the Bavarian believers in downtown Munich, Germany on Sunday, Feb. 28, 1982. A service in the cathedral and a walk through the crowd marked the farewell of the cardinal who will head the Congregation of Faith in the Vatican. (AP Photo/Dieter Endlicher)
A portrait taken in 1996 shows German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City, becoming Pope Benedict XVI. /AFP/Getty Images
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger co-celebrates a mass with Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez of Chile in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican 16 April 2005. Cardinals start their conclave in the frescoed Sistine Chapel on April 18 and will vote twice a day thereafter until one candidate has reached a majority of two thirds plus one. THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (C) greets Pope John Paul II, during a special audience for the Roman curia before Christmas Eve in the Clementine hall at the Vatican, 21 December 2004. The 84-year-old Pontiff in his speech addressed Cardinals and Bishops to help him during his pontifical mission. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images
Cardinals Angelo Sodano (C) and Joseph Ratzinger during the palm procession prior the Palm Sunday mass celebrated by Cardinal Camillo Ruini in St Peter's square at Vatican 20 March 2005. Pope John Paul II blessed pilgrims gathered in the square at the end of the mass from the window of his private apartment at Vatican. The Catholic Church on Sunday began ceremonies for the Holy Week of Easter, in which a convalescent Pope John Paul II, for the first time in his 26-year papacy, is expected to play only a minor role as he battles to recover from his recent throat operation. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
Germany's Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, acting as substitute for the Pope, showes the gospel book during the celebration of the Easter Vigil service in Saint Peter's Basilica March 26, 2005 in Vatican City. Pope John Paul II remained in his private apartment as pilgrims speculated as to whether he will appear for Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (C) blesses the coffin carrying Pope John Paul II in St Peter's Square at the Vatican City 08 April 2005 during the Pope's funeral. The world looked on Rome as leaders from more than 100 nations and a multitude of mourners gathered for the funeral Friday of Pope John Paul II, one of the most cherished pontiffs in history. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
General view shows German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger presiding the funeral mass for Pope John Paul II in St Peter's Square at the Vatican City 08 April 2005. The world looked on Rome as leaders from more than 100 nations and a multitude of mourners gathered for the funeral Friday of Pope John Paul II, one of the most cherished pontiffs in history. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger blesses the coffin of Pope John Paul II during his funeral mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican City 08 April 2005. The world looked on Rome as leaders from more than 100 nations and a multitude of mourners gathered for the funeral Friday of Pope John Paul II, one of the most cherished pontiffs in history. PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images
Cardinals exchange a sign of peace during a mass celebrated by Chilean Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez in St. Peter's Basilica Apri 16, 2005 in Vatican City. Cardinals celebrate a series of funeral masses, known as the Novemdiales, for nine days after the death of a Pope. (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger attends a mass celebrated by Chilean Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez in St. Peter's Basilica Apri 16, 2005 in Vatican City. Cardinals celebrate a series of funeral masses, known as the Novemdiales, for nine days after the death of a Pope. (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (C) presides over the special "pro eligendo summo pontifice " (to elect Supreme Pontiff) mass at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City 18 April 2005. Roman Catholic cardinals began a special mass Monday to invoke God's guidance before they convene in secret later in the day to elect a successor pope to John Paul II. TONY GENTILE/AFP/Getty Images
Cardinals attend the special "pro eligendo summo pontifice " (to elect Supreme Pontiff) mass presided over by German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City 18 April 2005. Roman Catholic cardinals began a special mass Monday to invoke God's guidance before they convene in secret later in the day to elect a successor pope to John Paul II. MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
People gather on St Peter's Square after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel announcing that Catholic Church cardinals had elected a new pope after a conclave lasting little more than 24 hours, 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
White smoke vents up from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel meaning that Catholic Church cardinals had elected a new leader after a conclave lasting little more than 24 hours, 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City. THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
The giant bells of St Peter's Basilica ring after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel meaning that Catholic Church cardinals had elected a new leader after a conclave lasting little more than 24 hours, 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (C) of Germany, waves from a balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals April 19, 2005 in Vatican City. The 265th Pope will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Crowds gather in St Peter's square on April 19, 2005 in Vatican City. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was elected the 265th pope and will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Nuns pray as Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, speaks from a balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals April 19, 2005 in Vatican City. The 265th Pope will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The crowd reacts as white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new pope has been elected, during the second day of the conclave April 19, 2005 in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was elected the 265th pope and will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
Newly elected Pope Cardindal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedetto XVI gestures to the crowd in St. Peter's square April 19, 2005 in Vatican City. The 265th Pope will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Arturo Mari-Pool/Getty Images)
Nuns celebrate as the bells ring announcing a new Pope, German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, April 19, 2005 in Vatican City. The 265th Pope will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A woman displays a crucifix as German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger appears on the balcony of St.Peter's Cathedral as Pope Benedict XVI at the end of the second day of the conclave April 19, 2005 in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was elected the 265th pope and will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
Germany's Joseph Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI, appears at the window of St Peter's Basilica's main balcony after being elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City. PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images
Cardinals stand on a balcony after Germany's Joseph Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI, appeared at the window of St Peter's Basilica's main balcony after being elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
Germany's Joseph Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI, appears at the window of St Peter's Basilica's main balcony after being elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City. PAOLO COCCO/AFP/Getty Images
A woman holds rosary beads as ringing bells announce a new Pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, April 19, 2005 in Vatican City. The 265th Pope will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The faithful gather at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels where Monsignor Royale Vadakin urged 1,100 Catholics gathered for midday Mass to reserve judgment on their new pope, as Catholics worldwide celebrate the selection of a new Pope, on April 19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, now known as Pope Benedict XVI, was chosen as the new pontiff today to replace the late Pope John Paul II. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
A woman lights a candle at St. Patrick's Cathedral after the election of a new Pope is announced April 19, 2005 in New York City. The newly elected Pope is Benedict XVI, known as German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Inhabitants of Marktl am Inn, the birth town of Germany's Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, by shooting in the air, 19 April 2005, after Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Ratzinger, who was born on 16 April 1927 in Marktl, will take the name Benedict XVI, the Vatican announced. JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images
Germany's Joseph Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI, waves to crowd from the window of St Peter's Basilica's main balcony after being elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City. PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images
People react as Germany's Joseph Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI, appears at the window of St Peter's Basilica's main balcony after being elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church 19 April 2005 at the Vatican City. PAOLO COCCO/AFP/Getty Images
Nuns waits for the announcement of the name of the new pope after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel signaling a pope had been elected during the second day of the conclave April 19, 2005 in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was elected the 265th pope and will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, 19 April 2005. ARTURO MARI/AFP/Getty Images
Pope Benedict XVI (C) accompanied by Italian Cardinal Agnelo Sodano (L) and Spanish Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo walk towards the pontiff's new apartment April 20, 2005 in Vatican City. Cardinal Ratzinger was elected the new Pope on April 19. (Photo by Arturo Mari-Pool/Getty Images)
Pope Benedict XVI stands looking outside his new apartment with St. Peter's Basilica in the background April 20, 2005 in Vatican City. Cardinal Ratzinger was elected the new Pope on April 19. (Photo by Arturo Mari-Pool/Getty Images)
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