Last updated on: 9/22/2015 | Author: ProCon.org

Pope Benedict XVI, PhD Biography

Title:
265th Pope of the Catholic Apostolic Roman Church
Position:
Pro to the question "Is a Two-State Solution (Israel and Palestine) an Acceptable Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?"
Reasoning:

“I strongly renew my appeal to the Parties in conflict to immediately adopt a ceasefire, to permit the sending of humanitarian aid and to seek new ways with the support of the international community to begin negotiations. I take this opportunity to reaffirm… the right of the Israelis to live in peace in their State and the right of Palestinians to possess a free and sovereign Homeland.”

“Angelus, Les Combes, Aosta Valley,” May 09, 2006
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
    Experts
Individuals with PhDs or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • 265th Pope of the Catholic Apostolic Roman Church, 2005
  • Dean of the College of Cardinals, 2002 – 2005
  • Special Papal Envoy for the Celebration of the XII Centenary of the foundation of the Diocese of Paderborn, Germany, 1999
  • Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, 1998 – 2002
  • Pope John Paul II elevated him to the Order of Bishops, 1993
  • President of the Preparatory Commission for the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1986 – 1992
  • Delegate President of the VI Ordinary General Assembly, 1983
  • Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the International Theological Commission, 1981
  • Relator of the V Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, 1980
  • Member of the Conclave which elected Pope John Paul II, 1978
  • Member of the Conclave which elected Pope John Paul I, 1978
  • Pope Paul VI elevated him to Cardinal, 1977
  • Pope Paul VI elevated him to Archbishop of Munich and Freising, 1977
  • Vice-president of the University of Regensburg, 1969
Education:
  • Doctorate in Theology, 1953
  • Priestly Ordination, 1951
  • Masters in Philosophy and Theology at the Higher School of Philosophy and Theology of Freising, and at the University of Munich, 1946 – 1951
Other:
  • Birth name: Joseph Ratzinger
  • Honorary Academic of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 2000
  • Doctor, Honoris Causa, Faculty of Theology of the University of Wroclaw in Poland, 2000
  • Doctor, Honoris Causa, Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta of Rome, 1999
  • Doctor, Honoris Causa, University of Navarre, 1998
  • Doctor, Honoris Causa, Catholic University of Lublin, 1988
  • Doctor, Honoris Causa, Catholic University of Eichstätt, 1987
  • Doctor, Honoris Causa, Catholic University of Lima, 1987
  • Doctor, Honoris Causa, College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, 1986