Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a hard-line guardian of conservative doctrine, was elected the new pope Tuesday evening in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI and called himself "a simple, humble worker."

Ratzinger, the first German pope since the 11th century, emerged onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he waved to a wildly cheering crowd of tens of thousands and gave his first blessing as pope. Other cardinals clad in their crimson robes came out on other balconies to watch him.

"Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me — a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," he said. "I entrust myself to your prayers," the pope said.

The crowd responded by chanting "Benedict! Benedict!"




I'm not Catholic, I'm Episcopalian, aka Catholic Lite, but my wife is Irish Catholic. The head of the Roman Church is an incredibly influential person, and in choosing Ratzinger, the church leaders have shown what they think of free thought an discussion in the Church. Ratzinger served John Paul II since 1981 as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is also known as the Inquisition. In that position, he has disciplined church dissidents and upheld church policy against attempts by liberals for reforms. He turned 78 on Saturday. I know a lot has been made of his being a member of the Hitler Youth, but to me that's not very important. He was a kid during the war (15 when the war ended). What does bother me as a student of religion are his various stances, whether his anti-feminist leaning or his advocating the withholding of communion from Catholic political leaders who are pro-choice, but not on those who are pro-deathpenalty. This, to me, is moral relativism of the sort that many on the right rail against.