Picture dated 07 June 1977 shows the late German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (R) at the Vatican city next to former Cardinals Benelli (2ndR), Gantin (C), Tomazek (2ndL) and Gappi (L). German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected 19 April 2005 to succeed Pope John Paul II, and was a close confidant of the late pontiff and fellow conservative.