Benoît XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, was the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He served from April 19, 2005, until his resignation on February 28, 2013. Known for his theological expertise, he was a prominent figure in the church for decades, previously serving as the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. His papacy focused on issues such as faith, reason, and the relationship between the Catholic Church and modern society. After resigning, he became the first pope in nearly 600 years to step down, choosing to live a life of prayer and reflection in the Vatican.