Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Ratzinger has been head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - formerly known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition - since 1981.One of his first campaigns was against liberation theology, which had gained ground among priests in Latin America and elsewhere as a means of involving the Church in social activism and human rights issues.He has described homosexuality as a "tendency" towards an "intrinsic moral evil". During the US election campaign, he called for pro-choice politicians to be denied Communion.He has also argued that Turkey should not be admitted into the European Union.The eighth German to become Pope, he speaks 10 languages and is said to be an accomplished pianist with a preference for Beethoven.ConservativeCardinal Ratzinger was born into a traditional Bavarian farming family in 1927, although his father was a policeman.At the age of 14, he joined the Hitler Youth, as was required of young Germans of the time, but was not an enthusiastic member.His studies at Traunstein seminary were interrupted during World War II when he was drafted into an anti-aircraft unit in Munich.He deserted the German army towards the end of the war and was briefly held as a prisoner of war by the Allies in 1945.His supporters say his experiences under the Nazi regime convinced him that the Church had to stand up for truth and freedom.Cardinal Ratzinger's conservative, traditionalist views were intensified by his experiences during the liberal 1960s.In 1966 he took a chair in dogmatic theology at the University of Tuebingen.However, he was appalled at the prevalence of Marxism among his students.'Abuse of faith'One incident in particular at Tuebingen, in which student protesters disrupted one of his lectures, seems to have particularly upset him.In his view, religion was being subordinated to a political ideology that he considered "tyrannical, brutal and cruel"."That experience made it clear to me that the abuse of faith had to be resisted precisely," he later wrote.He moved to Regensburg University in his native Bavaria in 1969, eventually rising to become its dean and vice-president.He was named Cardinal of Munich by Pope Paul VI in 1977.Wolfgang Cooper, a commentator on religious affairs in Germany, fears that the cardinal could become a divisive figure in the papacy."I think if Cardinal Ratzinger was pope, a large distance could grow between the leadership of the Church and the faith," he predicted before the result was known.The cardinal is a "scientist" who "prefers intellectual discussions", says Mr Cooper, whereas many Catholics want priests and bishops "who will touch the hearts".