Pope Benedict XVI photograph goes viral on social media

A colorized and potentially retouched photograph of a young Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, has gone viral on social media platform X. The image, believed to date from the 1950s, has prompted a wide range of reactions from users, including the nickname ‘Benedictwink’.

While some social media users questioned if the polished appearance of the portrait was the result of artificial intelligence, reports indicate that black-and-white versions of the image have circulated online long before the current generative AI boom. The viral version appears to be a colorized reproduction of an existing historical photograph. Although the image has gained significant attention for Ratzinger's appearance, observers noted the contrast between the portrait and his later reputation as a conservative doctrinal enforcer within the Catholic Church.