Newly Elected Pope Benedict XVI, Humble And Conservative

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a close adviser to Pope John Paul II, was selected Tuesday to become John Paul’s successor. The newly elected Pope Benedict XVI, 78, appeared on St. Peter’s Basilica balcony as dusk fell, wearing a red cape over his new white robes. Thousands of pilgrims gathered in the square below chanted "Benedict" as church bells around the world tolled with the news. World leaders sent their congratulations upon hearing the news. President George W. Bush, with his wife at his side, said that Benedict XVI is a "man of great wisdom and knowledge," and "a man who serves the Lord." Bush described listening to the homily given by Cardinal Ratzinger at the funeral of Pope John Paul II earlier this month, saying "his words touched our hearts and the hearts of millions."

Benedict XVI is the 265th pope of the Catholic church, and is the first German pope in about 1,000 years. His selection was accomplished with unusual speed but little surprise, because of Ratzinger’s renowned work alongside his predecessor as one of the most powerful men serving at the Vatican. Despite being sworn to secrecy about the events of the conclave, some German cardinals involved in the selection have spoken with the media about some of the selection process. Cardinal Joachim Meisner of Cologne told reporters that the new pope was elected on the fourth ballot, the first of the afternoon session, adding that Ratzinger received more than the two-thirds support he required. He also commented that as soon as the assembled cardinals realized Ratzinger had won, the room erupted in spontaneous applause.

Jewish and Muslim leaders have said they hope the new pontiff will continue the work of his predecessor in reaching out to other faiths. But some in the Catholic church have expressed concerns about the election of another hardline pope, with church reform groups saying that there is a clear demand for change. Benedict is known as a staunch defender of church doctrine, so the possibility of change is unlikely at best. He gave a strong warning last year that euthanasia and abortion are grave sins, and any Catholic politician who supports the legality of such issues is cooperating in evil. On Good Friday, the former Cardinal Ratzinger denounced filth in the church, including the priesthood. Since 1981, the cardinal had served as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, working to promote church orthodoxy. In that position, he disciplined dissidents in the Catholic church, and fought attempts by liberals to reform the church by upholding church policy. Benedict warned on the eve of his election as pope that the modern world is trading a clear faith for "a dictatorship of relativism."

Pope Benedict XVI had dinner Tuesday evening with the cardinals who elected him. After spending the night at the Vatican hotel, he will preside over a Mass in the Sistine Chapel Wednesday morning, and he will be formally installed as the new pope on Sunday. Then he will set about working to shape the modern Catholic church back to the foundations of faith upon which it was built centuries ago.