Created Cardinal by Montini. Called to Rome in ’81

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger doesn’t need much introduction. He is one of the best known figures in the Sacred College. A theologian famous from the time of Vatican II, appointed Archbishop of Münich and Frisinga and created cardinal in 1977 by Paul VI, he is currently the only European cardinal created by Pope Montini who would sit in an eventual conclave. Summoned to Rome by Pope Wojtyla in 1981, he has since presided over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and is the eldest of department heads in the Roman Curia. Elected Vice-dean of the Sacred College in November 1998, four years later he was elected Dean. Just last 16 March he took on the title to the suburbicarian diocese of Ostia, which goes to the Dean by right.
Cardinal Ratzinger became 76 years old on 16 April. Last year, as required by Canon Law, he offered his resignation as Prefect of the former Holy Office. The Pope, who has great esteem for the eldest of his closest collaborators, has not yet accepted it. And it is difficult to think that he’ll do so before 2005, that is before that the Bavarian cardinal can finish the task of coordinating the editing of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Gia. Ca.