News Stories
These are news stories breaking after the publishing of this Word
from.–
A Benign Papacy?
Conclave Elects New Pope
[interim pope?]
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."
|
Some are
considering Ratzinger an interim 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."
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