John Paul II
Pope Benedict XVI is the only pope with the name of Josef Ratzinger.
His name was Cardinal Joseph Alois Ratzinger.
Joseph Alois Ratzinger
Joseph Alois Ratzinger was his original name.
He was born Josef Alois Ratzinger.
Popes do not choose a surname when elected to the papacy. Before elected, though, Benedict XVI's name was Joseph Ratzinger.
The full name of Pope Benedict XVI before he changed it was Joseph Alois Ratzinger.
Before he became pope, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was the head of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. He was the church's foremost theologian.
If you are referring to Joseph Ratzinger, the father of Benedict, he was a police officer. If you are referring to Benedict, before he was pope he was a cardinal and member of the Roman Curia.
Joseph Alois Ratzinger was his original name.
Pope Benedict XVI, known at the time as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.
Pope Benedict XVI, known at the time as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.