ForeverInLoveWithJus

I think he seems really lovely and I think he is a great choice, Best of luck to him.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been elected as the pope - the head of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics. Taking the name Pope Benedict XVI, the 78-year-old German appeared on the balcony of the Vatican palace.

His arrival was greeted by loud cheers from the many thousands of pilgrims who had packed St Peter's Square as news of his election spread across Rome. He was chosen on the third round of votes by the 115 cardinals meeting to select Pope John Paul II's successor. Giving a short address in Italian to the crowds gathered below the new pope paid homage to his predecessor, and great friend, Pope John Paul II saying:

"Dear brothers and sisters after the great Pope, John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble worker in the Lord's vineyard. The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers."

"In the joy of the resurrected Lord, we go on with his help. He is going to help us and Mary will be on our side. Thank you," he added. Clad in white papal vestments and a short red cape, he then delivered the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to the city of Rome and the world.



Profile of Pope Benedict XVI

Virginity

I'm happy about the chose of the pope, i heard things about him before so i wasn't surprised when i heard that he is the new pope, so God Bless him, i'm sure he will do a great job

oh i have other things to say, as i'm watching the news coverage of the announcment, some of the people are not to thrilled about the choice, come on people you even don't know him that much, just give him a chance when he does the mass on sunday, he is not pope john paul 2nd but i know he will be something different, don't we need that something different in the church and address something different as well?, i know we have issues over gay marriage and sex abuse scandle, lets just waite and see what he will do and say.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

He is a conservative Pope. He will be really similar to John Paul II which I think is a good thing. I really think he will be really good. One of his first visits is to his native Germany, that should be really exciting for him.

Lemons

Theres something fishy about this pope.. something I dont like..

Virginity

yeah that visit actually is going to be in August for The World Youth Day so i'm excited to see how that plays out

oh and one more thing its going to be hard to call him Benedict XVI since alot of use got used to calling Pope John Paul for 26 years, so this one is different but also good i guess.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Really? I think one thing he wants to do is carry on with what John Paul was trying to do by bringing young people back to the church, I even went to my local church when John Paul died.

My Mum got me a memento card, its like a bookmark dedicated to the pope, I will treasure that always.

Errick

My mom was like, what? He's German! Like that has something to do with anything...but hey, there might be folks that already don't like him.

I think that's pretty cool how I got to watch it live as he came out. I didn't really know what I was witnessing, but an event to tell about if he lives long enough to tell my kids about. I mean, he's already 78.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Yeah but he is really good health, I noticed a cardinal on his right seemed to have Parkinsons, reminded me of John Paul

Virginity

Yeah with him beginning 78 i think he looks great at his age and i think he will be pope for a long time and him beginning German too i guess people are alittle surprised that it wasn't a Italen pope but hey i think its great

and about the live thing, i was really amazed that i even got to experience a historic event, and i'm sure that I will remember this forever and i will tell my family in the future

ForeverInLoveWithJus

I dont think it matters about the nationality thing because they pick someone who is good with languages, Pope John Paul could speak so many languages, its definately over 20 or 40 or something, I forget!