Georg Ratzinger (politician)

Georg Ratzinger (15 January 1924 – 1 July 2020) was a German Catholic priest and musician, best known for his long tenure as the Kapellmeister of the Regensburger Domspatzen, the choir of Regensburg Cathedral, from 1964 to 1994. He was the elder brother of Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger).

Born in Pleiskirchen, Bavaria, Ratzinger pursued his musical studies at the Munich Hochschule für Musik und Theater. Ordained a priest in 1951, he initially served in pastoral roles before dedicating himself to church music.

As Kapellmeister, Ratzinger led the Domspatzen in numerous concerts and recordings, maintaining their reputation as one of the world's leading boys' choirs. His leadership focused on preserving traditional church music while also incorporating contemporary works. During his tenure, the choir toured internationally, performing in prestigious venues.

After retiring from the Domspatzen, Ratzinger lived in Regensburg, often visited by his brother, Pope Benedict XVI, particularly after the latter's retirement from the papacy. He was a member of several musical organizations and remained involved in liturgical music until his death. His contributions to church music were widely recognized, and he received several awards and honors throughout his career. Although admired for his musical talent, Ratzinger faced scrutiny in later years regarding allegations of abuse within the Regensburger Domspatzen during his time as Kapellmeister. He expressed regret over the abuse that occurred but denied personal involvement.