Essay from the year 2011 in the subject Theology - Historic Theology, Ecclesiastical History, course: The Life of Josef Ratzinger, language: English, abstract: This little book was originally a series of speeches on the theologian Joseph Ratzinger and former pope Benedict XVI at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. It is a biographical-historical approach to this important historical personality leading up to the year 2005, the election to the highest office of the Catholic Church. The six chapters span from Ratzinger's youth in Bavaria, his close relationship with his family and brother Georg, his early priesthood, his theological development, his experiences as a professor in the sixties, his years as archbishop of Munich and his time in Rome as Prefect of the Congregation for the doctrine of the faith. What this biographical study can offer, is a brief introduction to essential components of Ratzinger's life and career.