When Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the papacy, it was a shock to many, as very few had anticipated such a decision. Citing declining health due to advanced age, the 85-year-old Bavarian pope stated that his strengths were no longer suited to the adequate exercise of his ministry. His voluntary resignation marked only the third such event in nearly 2,000 years of Catholic Church history, with no pope having resigned since 1415. Reports indicate that Benedict had been considering resignation for almost four years, evidenced by symbolic gestures and statements about a pope's right, and even duty, to resign if unable to perform the role properly. After stepping down, he retired initially to the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo and later to the refurbished Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican. Despite media perceptions of his papacy as conservative and unsuccessful, his tenure was marked by a steadfast defense of Church principles against modern relativistic and progressive ideas, though scandals during his administration and the toll on his health were evident challenges.

Seventeen days after the death of Pope John Paul II, the College of Cardinals elected Benedict XVI, formerly Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, as the 265th pontiff of the Catholic Church on April 19, 2005. His election was only mildly surprising, as he was considered the odds-on favorite despite concerns about his age of 78, leading many to view him as a transitional pope who might merely mark time until a younger successor emerges. However, this perception underestimates the man who, as prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, once known as the Inquisition, wielded significant influence for many years. As John Paul II's chief theological adviser for twenty years, Benedict XVI was closely tied to the Vatican's conservative stance, earning nicknames like God's Rottweiler and the Panzer Cardinal for his staunch defense of traditional values. According to reports, he was a driving force in the Vatican behind efforts to address issues such as liberation theology, religious pluralism, and challenges to moral teachings. In his pre-Conclave homily, he expressed a desire to re-evangelize Europe, countering decades of secular humanism. Whether he can achieve these ambitious goals remains uncertain, as opposition from politicians, academics, cultural figures, and even within his own church is likely. Under current conditions, his success may be incremental at best, though external events like economic downturns, increased terrorism, or internal disruptions could potentially align with his aims, prompting Europeans to heed the guidance of the Catholic Church's leader. Early in his pontificate, the Vatican remains relatively quiet, though his prominence as a German theologian raises historical echoes of past European conflicts.