After nearly eight years heading the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI will retire from the papacy on Thursday. Here are some of the most notable moments of Benedict’s service to the Church:

Aug. 22, 1981 : Coins and popularizes the phrase “big man upstairs”

: Coins and popularizes the phrase “big man upstairs” Mar. 14, 1993 : After being promoted to bishop, an ambitious Joseph Ratzinger makes a number of shrewd diagonal moves in pursuit of the papacy

: After being promoted to bishop, an ambitious Joseph Ratzinger makes a number of shrewd diagonal moves in pursuit of the papacy Apr. 20, 2005 : One day after his election, Vatican observers report that it’s pretty obvious that the pope is not into this

: One day after his election, Vatican observers report that it’s pretty obvious that the pope is not into this Dec. 25, 2005 : Benedict causes an uproar by wearing Prada shoes, a red cape, and nothing else to Christmas mass

: Benedict causes an uproar by wearing Prada shoes, a red cape, and nothing else to Christmas mass Feb. 18, 2006 : Benedict upholds longstanding Church doctrine barring horses from becoming priests

: Benedict upholds longstanding Church doctrine barring horses from becoming priests Nov. 30, 2006 : The pope thinks he hears God’s voice, but it turns out to be the heat coming on

: The pope thinks he hears God’s voice, but it turns out to be the heat coming on Mar. 14–Apr. 26, 2009 : Hinduism phase

: Hinduism phase Nov. 10, 2011 : A group of young archbishops learn tons of cool new curse words in Latin while watching Benedict tumble down a flight of stairs

: A group of young archbishops learn tons of cool new curse words in Latin while watching Benedict tumble down a flight of stairs Feb. 28, 2013: Turns in his badge and gun