Benedict XVI turns 94 years old

Monday, April 19th, 2021

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was born 94 years ago, April 16, in the town of Marktl, Bavaria. More than eight years after he announced his retirement from the papacy in 2013, Benedict continues to live a retired life in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery on Vatican grounds.

Despite growing feebleness, the retired pope is in good health, and has marked his April 16 birthday each year, sometimes in the presence of family and friends.

This is Benedict’s first birthday since the death of his older brother Georg Ratzinger on July 1, 2020 in Bavaria. The pope emeritus was able to say a last goodbye to his brother during a four-day trip to Germany at the end of June.

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