Pope Benedict XVI, Josep Ratzinger, was born on April 16, 1927, and was baptised on the same day. His family lived in a large white wood home in a little town called Maktl-am-inn, in Bavaria, Germany. His father was a civil servant, a rural police officer, and later police supervisor. His mother was a skilled cook, having worked in a number of hotels before marrying. He was the last born of three children: his elder brother, Georg (a priest), and Maria.  Outside, there was a little garden with a pond, in which young Joseph almost drowned while playing. In this beautiful little village in the Alps, he first grew to love the Mass, the first step in his journey to the priesthod. Once old enough, Joseph Ratzinger began to understand and love the faith in Christ. His fondest and earliest memories of being a Christian come from this time in the various celebrations in church.