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Pope Benedict XVI

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (April 16, 1927-December 31, 2022)
    Birth name is Joseph Ratzinger
    265th Pope (April 19, 2005-February 28, 2013)
    Appointed leader of over a billion Roman Catholics
    Announced his resignation from the papacy (February 11, 2013)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was a member of the Hitler Youth, a stark contrast from the previous Pope, who was part of the resistance.
    He shot down planes for Nazi Germany in the anti-aircraft corps.
    He was elected pope at the old age of 78 (only two years short of the 80-year age limit on popes).
    He is against birth control of all kinds.
    He is against female priests.
    He is against Turkey's membership in the European Union because it is a Muslim country.
    He disappointed those who were pushing for a third world pope.
    He whines constantly about how the Catholic Church has collapsed in Europe but refuses to change it to fit the modern era.
    He had unflattering nicknames, such as the 'Panzerkardinal,' 'Cardinal No' and 'God's rottweiler.'
    He bears a strong resemblance to Ian McDiarmid's character Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars movies.

Why he might not be annoying:

    In Nazi Germany, it was required by law to join the Hitler Youth at the age of 14, and he didn't do it enthusiastically.
    He deserted the Nazi anti-aircraft corps, an offense punishable by death.
    He is always straight-forward and clear about his intentions.
    He has an internet fan club.
    He speaks ten languages and has received seven honorary doctorate degrees.
    He is a fan of Beethoven.
    He is an accomplished pianist.
    He has a tough act to follow.
    He made the first official papal state visit to the United Kingdom in roughly 100 years (September 2010).
    He backed down on his stance against condoms, claiming that it some cases they may be used to help stop the spread of AIDs (November 2010).

Credit: Captain Howdy


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 506 Votes: 48.02% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 250 Votes: 46.80% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 229 Votes: 48.47% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 344 Votes: 48.55% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 317 Votes: 54.26% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 423 Votes: 50.12% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 235 Votes: 65.96% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 83 Votes: 71.08% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 46 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 102 Votes: 50.98% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 3636 Votes: 67.99% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 915 Votes: 47.65% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 393 Votes: 47.07% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 1346 Votes: 47.47% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 545 Votes: 37.06% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 771 Votes: 32.81% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 557 Votes: 53.86% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 3094 Votes: 45.28% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 10471 Votes: 42.08% Annoying