Events in the life of Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI:

1927: Born April 16, in Marktl am Inn in Germany's southern region of Bavaria near the Austrian border on the day before Easter. Baptized the same day.
1929: Family moves to town of Tittmoning.
1932: Family moves to Traunstein after his father has conflicts with local Nazi Party supporters in Tittmoning.
1941: Enrolled against his will in Hitler Youth. Dismissed shortly afterward because of his intention to study for the priesthood.
1943: Drafted as helper for anti-aircraft unit, serves in battery defending BMW plant.
1944: Dismissed from unit, but returns home to find draft notice for forced labor.
1944: Leaves home to dig anti-tank trenches.
1944: Released from labor force and returns home only to receive army draft notice three weeks later.
1945: Deserts from army and returns home. Captured by Americans as war ends.
1945: Released from U.S. POW camp, hitches a ride home on milk truck.
1945: Begins study for priesthood in Freising.
1951: Ordained a priest along with his brother Georg.
1953: Receives doctorate in theology, University of Munich.
1959: Begins teaching theology in Bonn, first of several appointments in German universities.
1969: Leaves University of Tuebingen concerned about student unrest which had interrupted his lectures with sit-ins. Takes teaching job in Regensburg in native Bavaria, near his brother.
1977: Elected Archbishop of Munich und Freising.
1977: Elevated to cardinal three months later by Pope Paul VI.
1978: Participated in conclave that elected Pope John Paul II.
1979: Vatican revokes theology teaching license of liberal German theologian Hans Kueng, who helped Ratzinger get a teaching post at University of Tuebingen in the 1960s. Ratzinger was sharply critical of Kueng.
1981:Summoned to Rome to lead the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under John Paul II.
1985: On behalf of John Paul II, he denounces a work by Leonard Boff, a Latin American pioneer of Liberation Theology.
1985:Publication of "The Ratzinger Report."
1997:Publication of "Salt of the Earth."
1998: Publication of "Milestones. Memoirs: 1927 to 1997."
2000: Publication of "God and World," "Spirit of the Liturgy."
2002: Named Dean of the College of Cardinals.
2005: April 13, Publication of "Values in a Time of Upheaval."
2005: April 19, Elected Pope Benedict XVI.

Links:
A Fan Club Site www.popebenedictxvifanclub.com
A Picture Gallery The New Pope
Pictures of Celebration www.ewtn.com/pope/celebration/