Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (born April 16, 1927), formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was the 265th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. He was elected as the successor of Pope St. John Paul II on April 19, 2005. Before and since his election as head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI wrote many works centered on the Catholic faith and her teachings. He is a highly-acclaimed theologian who has deeply influenced our world, both as a Prince of the Church and then as Holy Father. For reasons pertaining to "lack of strength of mind and body," he resigned from the papacy on February 28th, 2013, the first pope to do so since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. The holiness of his life continues to be an inspiration for many.