Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005, replacing longtime pontiff John Paul II. Here is a look back at Benedict’s papacy.
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CLAUDIO PERI/EPA
Pope Benedict XVI led a Mass at the Saint Peter Basilica in Vatican City on Feb. 2.
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L'Osservatore Romano/AP
Pope Benedict XVI left after attending a meeting of Vatican cardinals where he announced his resignation.
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L'Osservatore Romano/AP
Pope Benedict XVI, sitting on the throne (center right), met with Vatican cardinals on Monday.
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AFP / Getty Images
The pope delivered the Urbi and Orbi message after the Easter Holy Mass at St. Peter's Square in 2011.
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Getty Images
Pope Benedict XVI visited Yankee Stadium in 2008 during a US visit. He also prayed at Ground Zero and met with Boston abuse victims.
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Getty Images
The new pope greeted the crowd after his installation Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 24, 2005.
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File photo
Benedict met with President Obama and his wife, Michelle, in 2009.
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David L. Ryan / Globe Staff
Archbishop Sean O'Malley, head of the Boston Archdiocese, was made a cardinal in 2006.
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Benedict prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem in 2009 during a tour of the Middle East.
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AP
Benedict traveled far as pope, including this voyage to Mexico, where he donned a sombrero.
