Pope Benedict XVI

A Biography of Joseph Ratzinger

The elevation of Josph Ratzinger to the papacy has raised many questions about what the future holds for the world's one billion Roman Catholics.

Seasoned Vatican observer John. L. Allen Jr. is ideally placed to answer these questions, tracing Ratzinger's story from his Bavarian roots (including unwilling participation in the Hitler Youth Movement), to his support for Vatican II and to the unique relationship he shared with Pope John Paul II.