As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he was Archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982.

Source: https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2023/01/03/requiem-for-pope-benedict-to-hold-in-his-former-archdiocese/

Born Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict was a brilliant theologian but a divisive figure who alienated many Catholics with his staunch defense of conservative doctrine on issues such as abortion.

Source: https://www.kuwaittimes.com/pope-leads-final-farewell-to-benedict/

During these years, Ratzinger presided over the drafting of many significant theological documents in the field of moral theology and two documents on Liberation Theology.

Source: https://ncc.org.au/newsweekly/religion/fond-farewell-to-scholar-pope-benedict-xvi/

Even if having been a member of Hitler Youth doesn't disqualify you from the papacy (which it should), Ratzinger shouldn't be given a pass for his youthful indiscretions.

Source: https://virtueonline.org/death-gods-rottweiler

“Everyone was running through the streets, and I saw Cardinal Ratzinger appear on television,” he previously told CNA.

Source: https://www.onenewspage.com/n/Religion/1zpjuwzbm2/The-story-behind-Pope-Benedict-XVI-red.htm

“Here was something nobody had planned on,” Cardinal Ratzinger said in 1998.

Source: https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/joseph-ratzinger-s-revealing-family-dynamic

In addition, the fact that Ratzinger was a shy man with a professorial bac.

Source: https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2023/01/13/opinions/the-pope-benedict-i-knew-a-keeper-of-his-faith-with-a-deep-respect-for-judaism/17707.html

“I think the partnership of Cardinal Ratzinger and Pope John Paul II was one of the most brilliant in papal history,” Cardinal Pell said in our last interview.

Source: https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/remembering-cardinal-george-pell-personal-reflections

Joseph Ratzinger was elected as the 265th pope on April 19 2005, aged 78, and chose the name Benedict.

Source: https://jerseyeveningpost.com/morenews/uknews/2023/01/01/catholic-worshippers-across-the-uk-to-pray-for-pope-benedict-xvi/

Ratzinger countered with a ‘theology of reconciliation’, following the Pope’s admonition that “a more harmonious society” would “require both forgiveness from the poor, for past exploitation, and sacrifice from the rich”.

Source: https://theava.com/archives/207604

See Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy, trans.

Source: https://denvercatholic.org/eucharistic-orientation-according-to-vatican-ii-a-response-to-dr-staudts-ad-orientem-column/

The body of the German pope, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzinger, will stay at the monastery until early on Monday morning.

Source: https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/482759/pope-francis-to-lead-unique-funeral-for-ex-pope-benedict

The former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger visited Macau and Hong Kong in March 1993 where he met with the SARs’ bishops, Domingos Lam and John Baptist Wu.

Source: https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau-diocese-to-offer-requiem-mass-for-benedict-xvi.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=macau-diocese-to-offer-requiem-mass-for-benedict-xvi

The student revolts of 1968, however, persuaded Ratzinger that the reform movement he championed had grown too radical.

Source: https://gazette.com/news/us-world/pope-benedict-xvi-1927-2022/article_353ec892-9627-5821-b1fa-a23aaf495e46.html

Those actions prompted liberal Catholics to dub then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger "God's Rottweiler".

Source: https://gazette.com/news/us-world/death-of-former-pope-benedict-overshadows-new-year-at-vatican/article_30b85caa-008a-54f4-9fe9-0abe2aa0c348.html

Tracey Rowland holds the St. John Paul II Chair of Theology at the University of Notre Dame (Australia), and is a recipient of the Ratzinger Award for theology (2020).

Source: https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/cardinal-george-pell-australia-s-christian-prince