IN A quick selection, the German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is the new Pope who will be known as Benedict XVI.
The 265th pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, he will be the first German Pope since the 11th century. At age 78, he is the oldest Pope for the past one hundred years. With his election, Pope Benedict XVI becomes the Bishop of Rome, head of the Vatican State and the Holy Father to over one billion Roman Catholics worldwide.
A close friend and confidant of John Paul II, the new Pope is seen as a conservative, not likely during his pontificate to make any radical changes in the direction of the church.
In fact, he may have been seen by the 115 Cardinals who elected him as an 'interim' Pope, one who can provide a necessary interlude of stasis after the dynamic and charismatic reign of his predecessor.
Born into a humble Bavarian family, Cardinal Ratzinger distinguished himself as a man of iron intellect and as a brilliant theologian. As a personality he is said to be somewhat shy, unfailingly courteous and blessed with a deep sense of humility.
When, as the new Pope, he greeted the huge crowd that had gathered in St. Peter's Square Tuesday to honour him, he was able, somewhat like John Paul II, to make contact with his audience and to establish an immediate rapport with them. Those who saw him on television will have noted his engaging smile and eyes sparkling with good humour.
Benedict XVI speaks English, Italian and many other languages fluently but, at 78, he is not likely to be able to take on the gruelling travel schedule which was a feature of John Paul II's pontificate when he became Pope at 58.
But popes have a way of defining in unique ways the course of their ministry, and we have no doubt that Benedict XVI will continue to provide strong moral and spiritual leadership for Catholics and all persons of goodwill in the long tradition of the papacy.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
