Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, born on April 16, 1927, in Germany, was a prominent theologian and a key figure in the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1981 until his election as Pope in 2005. Ratzinger was known for his conservative views and emphasis on traditional Catholic teachings. As Pope, he took the name Pope Benedict XVI and led the Church until his resignation in 2013, becoming the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years. His papacy focused on issues such as interfaith dialogue, the role of faith in modern society, and addressing the Church's response to scandals.