Pope 265
Benedict XVI
The 265th pope in the Holy See's list of Supreme Pontiffs, serving as Bishop of Rome from 19, 24.IV.2005 to 28.II.2013. His secular name is listed as Joseph Ratzinger. The Holy See lists his birthplace as Marktl am Inn (Bavaria).
Why this pontificate matters
Benedict XVI is historically important for theology, liturgy, and resignation. The official sequence continues cleanly, but the end of his pontificate needs special context because resignation is rare in papal history.
The timeline shows a clean succession; the historical note explains why the end date matters.
This is a useful bridge into the modern question of office, retirement, and continuity.
Predecessor
- John Paul II · succeeded in see · documented
Benedict XVI follows John Paul II as Bishop of Rome in the Holy See's sequential list of Supreme Pontiffs.
Successor
- Francis · succeeded in see · documented
Francis follows Benedict XVI as Bishop of Rome in the Holy See's sequential list of Supreme Pontiffs.