In Memoriam 2022: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (1927–2022) Tribute List

Before becoming pope, Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) emerged as a top 20th century theologian and was a theological consultant at all four Vatican II sessions. During Pope John Paul II's papacy, Cardinal Ratzinger held several prominent positions in the Roman Curia in addition to presiding over the publication of the updated Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992). In 2005, he was elected the 265th Roman Catholic pope, but in 2013 resigned due to "lack of strength of mind and body," when he became "Pope Emeritus," the first retired pope since 1415. Benedict XVI's papacy saw a return to fundamental Christian values, conservative views, and traditional practices to counter increased secularism. However, his handling of sexual abuse cases within the Church led to substantial criticism. This tribute highlights his legacy through speeches, news, and biographical articles.
18 words 9 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. resign
    give up or retire from a position
    The Catholic Church has pretty clear rules for what to do when a pope dies. However, Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 and was succeeded by the current pontiff, Pope Francis. Benedict was the first pope to resign from his position in more than 600 years, and that gave him a special status known as Pope Emeritus — essentially, a retired pope.
    – CNN
  2. emeritus
    honorably retired from assigned duties
    The Catholic Church has pretty clear rules for what to do when a pope dies. However, Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 and was succeeded by the current pontiff, Pope Francis. Benedict was the first pope to resign from his position in more than 600 years, and that gave him a special status known as Pope Emeritus – essentially, a retired pope.
    – CNN
  3. theologian
    someone who is learned in the study of religion
    The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said Pope Benedict was "one of the great theologians of the 20th century".
    – BBC
  4. polarize
    become divided in a conflict or contrasting situation
    As Vatican doctrinal watchdog, Ratzinger [Pope Benedict] became a polarizing figure: He disciplined dissident theologians, and he upheld church opposition to female priests and married priests as well as same-sex marriage.
    – NPR
  5. dissident
    characterized by departure from accepted standards
    As Vatican doctrinal watchdog, Ratzinger [Pope Benedict] became a polarizing figure: He disciplined dissident theologians, and he upheld church opposition to female priests and married priests as well as same-sex marriage.
    – NPR
  6. papacy
    the government of the Roman Catholic Church
    His papacy faced several challenges, including a decline in vocations and church attendance, divisive debates concerning the direction of the church, and the effects of the scandal beginning in the late 1990s surrounding the church’s handling of numerous cases of sexual abuse by priests.
    – Britannica
  7. divisive
    causing or characterized by disagreement or disunity
    His papacy faced several challenges, including a decline in vocations and church attendance, divisive debates concerning the direction of the church, and the effects of the scandal beginning in the late 1990s surrounding the church’s handling of numerous cases of sexual abuse by priests.
    – Britannica
  8. scandal
    a disgraceful event
    His papacy faced several challenges, including a decline in vocations and church attendance, divisive debates concerning the direction of the church, and the effects of the scandal beginning in the late 1990s surrounding the church’s handling of numerous cases of sexual abuse by priests.
    – Britannica
  9. solidarity
    a union of interests or purposes among members of a group
    Mr. Biden singled out the pope's remarks during a 2008 visit to the White House in which the former pontiff said "the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever, if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity".
    – BBC
  10. dignity
    the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
    Mr. Biden singled out the pope's remarks during a 2008 visit to the White House in which the former pontiff said "the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever, if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity".
    – BBC
  11. orthodoxy
    a belief or orientation agreeing with conventional standards
    Benedict also indicated that he would maintain his predecessor's conservative orthodoxy on matters of sexuality, priestly celibacy, and ecclesiastical organization.
    – Britannica
  12. celibacy
    abstaining from sexual relations
    Benedict also indicated that he would maintain his predecessor's conservative orthodoxy on matters of sexuality, priestly celibacy, and ecclesiastical organization.
    – Britannica
  13. ecclesiastical
    of or associated with a church
    Benedict also indicated that he would maintain his predecessor's conservative orthodoxy on matters of sexuality, priestly celibacy, and ecclesiastical organization.
    – Britannica
  14. affluence
    abundant wealth
    "While the poor of the world continue knocking on the doors of the rich, the world of affluence runs the risk of no longer hearing those knocks, on account of a conscience that can no longer distinguish what is human."
    – Pope Benedict XVI, National Catholic Reporter
  15. conscience
    motivation deriving from ethical or moral principles
    "While the poor of the world continue knocking on the doors of the rich, the world of affluence runs the risk of no longer hearing those knocks, on account of a conscience that can no longer distinguish what is human."
    – Pope Benedict XVI, National Catholic Reporter
  16. intolerance
    unwillingness to respect differences in opinions or beliefs
    Their task is to propose a vision of faith not in terms of intolerance, discrimination and conflict, but in terms of complete respect for truth, coexistence, rights, and reconciliation.
    – Speech to United Nations
  17. discrimination
    unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice
    Their task is to propose a vision of faith not in terms of intolerance, discrimination and conflict, but in terms of complete respect for truth, coexistence, rights, and reconciliation.
    – Speech to United Nations
  18. reconciliation
    the reestablishment of cordial relations
    Their task is to propose a vision of faith not in terms of intolerance, discrimination and conflict, but in terms of complete respect for truth, coexistence, rights, and reconciliation.
    – Speech to United Nations
Created on Thu Jan 05 12:42:05 EST 2023 (updated Mon Jan 09 16:56:22 EST 2023)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.