Born in 1927 in Germany as Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI became head of the Roman Catholic Church in April 2005. A prolific author, theologian, and professor, Ratzinger served as an expert at the Second Vatican Council; led the German Archdiocese of Munich and Freising; and, in 1981, was called to Rome by Pope John Paul II to head the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, where he served until his papal election. In 2013, he became the first pontiff in 600 years to resign office.

As a theologian, priest, bishop and pope, Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) ranks among the most gifted, fertile Catholic minds of the past century. Called to Holiness is a superb collection of his thoughts, both rich and accessible, on the meaning of the priestly and consecrated vocations. I warmly recommend it.""- Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Philadelphia

Born in 1927 in Germany as Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI became head of the Roman Catholic Church in April 2005. A prolific author, theologian, and professor, Ratzinger served as an expert at the Second Vatican Council; led the German Archdiocese of Munich and Freising; and, in 1981, was called to Rome by Pope John Paul II to head the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, where he served until his papal election. In 2013, he became the first pontiff in 600 years to resign office.

As a theologian, priest, bishop and pope, Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) ranks among the most gifted, fertile Catholic minds of the past century. Called to Holiness is a superb collection of his thoughts, both rich and accessible, on the meaning of the priestly and consecrated vocations. I warmly recommend it.""- Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Philadelphia

Born in 1927 in Germany as Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI became head of the Roman Catholic Church in April 2005. A prolific author, theologian, and professor, Ratzinger served as an expert at the Second Vatican Council; led the German Archdiocese of Munich and Freising; and, in 1981, was called to Rome by Pope John Paul II to head the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, where he served until his papal election. In 2013, he became the first pontiff in 600 years to resign office.

As a theologian, priest, bishop and pope, Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) ranks among the most gifted, fertile Catholic minds of the past century. Called to Holiness is a superb collection of his thoughts, both rich and accessible, on the meaning of the priestly and consecrated vocations. I warmly recommend it.""- Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Philadelphia