By Margaret Hawryluk
White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel Tuesday at 1:50 p.m. EST, signaling “Habemus Papam” ? “We have a pope.”
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, of Germany, was elected the 265th pope after the conclave of 115 cardinals began meeting for elections only a day before.
According to the New York Times, the Cardinal appeared on the central balcony nearly an hour after St. Peter’s bell rang and announced his name as Benedict XVI to the crowd below.
“After our great Pope, John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble worker in God’s vineyard,” Ratzinger said, according to the Vatican Web site.
Born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany, Ratzinger was ordained a priest in 1951 and earned his doctorate in theology at the University of Munich.
He was annointed a cardinal in 1977 and “nominated prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and president of the Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission by John Paul II” in 1981, the Vatican Web site said.
The new pope, who turned 78 last Saturday, has been a “doctrinal watchdog,” according to the New York Times and shared many views with Pope John Paul II, but was considered to hold a more conservative theology.
“I think what you’ll really see is a continuation of the work of John Paul II,” Father Brian Barr, chaplain and director of the Campus Parish of Long Island, said. Ratzinger worked closely with John Paul II and they thought similarly, Barr added.
Some of the Cardinal’s famous viewpoints include his opposition to stem cell research, homosexuality and women serving as priests. He also believed that Catholicism is the “truth.”
“I’m relieved a conservative Pope was chosen because they were thinking about a liberal,” Chris DeBono, a junior math major and social chair of the Newman club, said. “The new pope will maintain stability.”
Barr said followers should not be as concerned with the politics of the vote, but rather with the spirituality that is intertwined. He said many Catholics believe when the conclave convenes, the Holy Spirit works through them and the decision is on a faithful level.
“If I had a choice between liberal, conservative and God,” Barr said. “I would go with the choice of God.”
Analysts speculated that the close ally of John Paul II would win the position of pope as many considered Ratzinger one of the most powerful men in he Vatican under the pope, according to CNN.
Although she is from the Jewish faith, Donna Lipkis, a senior speech pathology major, was happy with the decision.
“I heard he was a top candidate,” Lipkis said. “I’m glad he was picked, but I loved John Paul.”
At the age of 78, Cardinal Ratzinger is not expected to hold the papal position as long as his predecessor, who served over two decades.
Some are considering Ratzinger an interim pope, Barr said. He compared him to Pope John XXIII who was also elected at an older age, but made significant changes in the church.
“When time is limited, you’re more aggressive,” Barr said.
Although many followers are not expecting any drastic changes to be made, they are confident Pope Benedict XVI will make a positive impact.
“If he was picked, obviously there was spirituality involved,” Rich Vizziello, a junior finance major and treasurer of the Newman club, said. “If God didn’t want him as pope, he wouldn’t be there.”
(photo courtesy wikipedia.org)