The Apostles Illustrated Edition (The Apostles)
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was elected by the College of Cardinals to the papacy on April 19, 2005.  He took the name Benedict after two great figures: St. Benedict of Nursia, whose model of monastic life helped rebuild European culture after the collapse of the Roman Empire; and Pope Benedict XV, who was committed to bring peace to a Europe again torn by war during World War I.