The Hindu : Front Page : Ratzinger is new Pope

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Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005

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Front Page

Ratzinger is new Pope

Vaiju Naravane

Joseph Ratzinger, who will be known as Pope Benedict XVI — AP

VATICAN CITY: The world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics have a new Pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, who will be known as Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Ratzinger, 78, known for his conservative views, who was Dean of the College of Cardinals and one of the closest collaborators of the late John Paul II, was chosen as the world's 265th Pope by his peers on Tuesday. Cardinal Ratzinger was the only cardinal not appointed by Pope John Paul II.

At 18.45 hrs, the red velvet curtain on the balcony of the Pope's second floor apostolic apartments was drawn open and Chile's Cardinal Medina Estivez made the much awaited announcement: "Habeum papam. [We have a Pope.]" He then revealed the new spiritual leader's name and the name he has adopted for his papacy.

First appearance

Benedict XVI made his first appearance wearing the Pope's ceremonial vestments before huge cheering crowds in Saint Peter's square here 45 minutes after the bells of Saint Peter's Basilica first pealed out the message that a new Pope had been elected.

After a day of tension and uncertainty, which saw three rounds of voting marked by some confusion over whether the smoke coming out of the specially erected chimney over the Sistine Chapel was white, black or grey, the final choice was surprisingly quick. At mid-day after two rounds of voting the cardinals broke for lunch and met again at 4 p.m. for what was expected to be another two rounds. But to the surprise of the waiting crowds the second round of the afternoon was not held since the cardinals very quickly agreed on Cardinal Ratzinger.

Conservative views

The new Pope is known for his uncompromising views on church doctrine and his election will come as a disappointment to those who have been placing the accent on greater devolution of authority and collegiality within the church. Cardinal Ratzinger, considered a great theologian who is greatly respected for his learning, intelligence and integrity, may not find favour amongst those hoping for reform and decentralisation within the Church.

He has in fact, as part of the Roman Curia, been responsible for some of the most hard-line doctrinal positions the church has taken on subjects as diverse as contraception, celibacy, the marriage of priests, euthanasia, abortion and other thorny issues that have tended to divide the church.

He has rejected the ordination of women and marriage for priests, and also opposes homosexuality and communism, and he has never been afraid of upsetting political sensibilities.

Vote for continuity

"The cardinals have obviously opted for continuity rather than change. This may be seen as a papacy of transition," the Vatican specialist, Luigi Accatoli, said. "The new Pope is 78 years old. At most his papacy is expected to last ten years and there might have been a feeling amongst the voting cardinals that the Church was not ready for someone who would change tack and take the church in a new direction. This election is a clear message that Pope John Paul II's legacy is being nurtured and carried forward."

In the first words he spoke to the crowds in St Peter's square, the new Pope paid homage to his predecessor. "Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II the cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord," he said.

Saint Peter's square, which was only half full when the bells of the Basilica began ringing out, quickly filled to capacity with about 100,000 cheering, flag-waving people.

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