Benedict XVI succeeded this man as head of the Roman Catholic church in 2005
He succeeded Pope John Paul II, who died on 2 April 2005 (and 
with whom he... [DOC] [TLE] Pope Benedict XVI The First Five Years - Official Catholic Directory [PAR] Ratzinger and the man he would succeed as pope formed a unique intellectual ... 
"elder brother who stood head and shoulders above the rest," as one cardinal-
elector put it.