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The world's one billion Catholics have a new leader today after Cardinals chose a new pope. News of the election of German prelate Joseph Ratzinger to the papal role was greeted with delight in conservative circles, as the 78-year-old is considered a staunch traditionalist.
The former cardinal is the oldest man to be elected Pope for over three centuries. Huge crowds who had gathered in St Peter's Square were taken by surprise by the speed of the election, which came on the second day of deliberations, and the choice of pontiff.
Many had expected the cardinals to opt for a more moderate figure who might help heal divisions within the Church. The new leader, who acted as Pope John Paul's doctrinal watchdog for 23 years, is likely to adopt an even stricter orthodoxy than his predecessor, however.
Just a few years ago he shocked Protestant leaders by declaring that other Christian churches were deficient. The 265th pontiff, who served in the Hitler Youth when it was compulsory in his home country, also holds vehement conservative views on the issue of homosexuality. Like his predecessor, he is against female priests, even going so far as to pronounce that women should not be allowed to sing in choirs or serve at the altar.
In the past Ratzinger has expressed similarly fervent criticism of liberation theology, which believes the church should be involved in the struggle for economic and political justice, and he is likewise opposed to the ordination of women priests, abortion and the use of condoms.
While many of the more progressive Catholic leaders in Asia and the Americas have been dismayed by his election, it is believed the cardinals wanted a short, transitional papacy in the wake of John Paul's 26-year reign. Even the new leader's brother acknowledged that his tenure is likely to be relatively short. "At 78 it's not good to take on such a job that challenges the entire person," said his sibling Georg.
But despite the controversy surrounding his appointment, the new Pope - who will take the name Benedict XVI - received a rapturous reception when he appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. "I am but a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," he said. |
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