Week 3 of Pope Benedict's Reign: Installation as Bishop of Rome

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd before the General Audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 4, 2005. The Pontiff toured the square standing in the back of an open top vehicle, smiling and blessing the crowds of faithful. (AP Photo/ Massimo Sambucetti)

Pope Benedict XVI greets a group of sick during the General Audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 4, 2005. The Pontiff greeted thousands of pilgrims during the audience and read religious texts. (AP Photo/Plino Lepri)

Pope Benedict greets the faithful as he arrives to lead his weekly Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 4, 2005. Pope Benedict, who departed from his prepared text during the general audience, urged believers to shun the temptations of power, wealth and prestige, calling them false promises that do not lead to God. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Pope Benedict XVI talks during the General Audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, as his is personal secretary Georg Gaenswein adjusts the microphone, Wednesday, May 4, 2005. The Pontiff greeted thousands of pilgrims during the audience and read religious texts . (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd during the General Audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 4, 2005. The Pontiff greeted thousands of pilgrims during the audience and read religious texts . (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)

Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithfuls as he appears from his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, May 5, 2005. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Pope Benedict XVI blesses people as he appears from his summer residence in Castelgandolfo, south of Rome May 5, 2005. The Pope travelled south of Rome on Thursday to see the papal summer residence and delighted residents in the area when he told them he would keep up the tradition of spending the warm months here. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Pope Benedict XVI points to the Swiss Guards Flag in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican May 6, 2005. Some 31 new members of the Swiss Guard will attend their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican on Friday. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano/Pool

Pope Benedict XVI is seen with new members of the Vatican's Swiss Guards in Clementina Hall, at the Vatican City, Friday, May 6, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI, ahead of a ritual-filled swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican scheduled for later in the day, greeted 31 new members of the Swiss Guard, the elite corps that helped protect pontiffs for centuries. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano)

Pope Benedict XVI talks to Rome's major Walter Veltroni in his private library at the Vatican May 7, 2005. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano/Pool

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a mass in Saint John Basilica at Rome May 7, 2005. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Pope Benedict XVI holds a chalice during the mass for his installation at Saint John Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Pope Benedict XVI holds the Host during his installation mass in St. John Lateran, his cathedral as bishop of Rome, Saturday, May 7, 2005. The visit caps a series of ceremonies following Benedict's election as pope on April 19, including installation services at St. Peter's Basilica and the Roman Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls. At left is Vatican Secretary of State Angelo Sodano. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti)

A view of Saint John Basilica as Pope Benedict XVI leads a mass for his installation in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Pope Benedict XVI (L) leads a mass for his installation at Saint John Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. (Tony Gentile/Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI administers the communion to a faithful woman during the mass for his installation at Saint John Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Pope Benedict XVI waves incense during the mass for his installation at Saint John Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims in his car on his way to St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome. The Pope took formal possession of the bishopric of Rome and issued a warning that it was a pontiff's duty to combat what he called wrong interpretations of freedom.(AFP/Giulio Napolitano)

Pope Benedict XVI prays inside the Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Pope Benedict XVI waves from the window of his papal apartments during his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican May 8, 2005. Pope Benedict extended an olive branch to some of his harshest critics at the weekend, sending a cordial message to a French Protestant church and saying he wanted to work toward the unity of all Christians. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

A view of the new coat of arms of Pope Benedict XVI as seen on a tapestry, as he blesses the faithful from his studio's window overlooking St. Peter Square at the Vatican, Sunday May 8, 2005. The pontiff has included traditional Bavarian elements and a nod to St. Augustine in his papal coat of arms: a crowned Ethiopian, known as the Mohr of Freising, a bear and a mussel - all of which appear on the insignia of the diocese - also appear in the three-sectored insignia chosen by Benedict. The pontiff said Sunday that the media can spread peace but also ferment violence and he called on journalists to exercise responsibility to ensure objective reports that respect human dignity and the common good. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)

In this picture released Monday, May 9, 2005 by Vatican newspaper 'L'Osservatore Romano' Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by people in St. Mary Major basilica, in Rome, Saturday, May 7, 2005, after he paid homage to an icon of Mary. The visit caps a series of ceremonies following Benedict's election as pope on April 19, including installation services at St. Peter's Basilica and the Roman Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano)

Undated photo provided Wednesday May 4, 2005 by Hermann-Spielwaren company shows a Pope Benedict-Teddy bear, that they will put on sale upcoming Monday May 9. This German company is going to produce a Pope teddy for every Pope in history, making 265 different Pope Teddys. The Benedict XVI Bear is available from Monday at a price of 160 euros ($ US 207). (AP Photo/Hermann-Spielwaren GmbH)

Pope Benedict XVI and South African President Thabo Mbeki, left, shake hands during a private audience in the Vatican Ciy, Friday, May 6, 2005. Mbeki said he was convinced that the Roman Catholic Church would remain a 'powerful ally' against racism and in the 'fight for a better Africa and a better world'. Mbeki is on a two-day visit in Italy that also includes talks with the country's top officials. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri, Pool) Email Photo Print Photo

The link you posted isn't working for me. Could you tell me the name and date of the article so I can search for it? Thanks.

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Well, it wouldn't work for me either....sorry. :( But I did manage to find the article again via Google, so I'll reprint it here:

Cardinals quickly choose close aide to John Paul
By Tim Townsend
Of the Post-Dispatch
04/20/2005

One billion Catholics around the world learned Tuesday that a conservative German theologian who has staunchly defended the church's traditional doctrine for 25 years under Pope John Paul II had become their new leader, Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, was named pope in one of the fastest papal elections of the past century.

Catholics who had hoped for a pope who will hold a hard line on church tradition and continue the social teachings of John Paul II welcomed the new pontiff.

John J. Leibrecht, bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, said he was "delighted" at the election of Ratzinger.

"The cardinals must have had him high on their list, and wanted someone who could continue along the lines of John Paul II," he said. "And since Cardinal Ratzinger was such a close adviser and close friend of the pope's, I'm sure that's what is going to happen. And I'm sure somewhere down the line the new Holy Father will have his own priorities."

Catholics hoping for a papacy that would reform some social elements of church doctrine could be disappointed. Ratzinger has called homosexuality evil, considers Islam competition, and would rather have a smaller church than a growing church in which the faithful can pick and choose which parts of its doctrine they follow.

The new pope clearly enjoyed overwhelming support from the College of Cardinals. Despite being forbidden to say how they voted, some German cardinals said Tuesday that Ratzinger received more than the two-thirds, or 77, of the 115 votes he needed in the fourth ballot.

White smoke, the traditional sign a new pope has been elected, appeared from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel a little after 11 a.m. St. Louis time to the cheers of the thousands in St. Peter's Square below. Soon afterward, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica began to toll, confirming the crowd's hope that a new pope had been elected.

About half an hour later, Chilean Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estivez appeared through the red velvet drapes installed in the basilica's central window and, to loud cheers, exclaimed "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a pope.")

After Estivez announced that Ratzinger would become Benedict XVI, the new pope emerged from behind the velvet curtains to huge applause.

"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.

Benedict XVI is the oldest pope elected since Clement XII, who was chosen in 1730 at 78 but was three months older than Ratzinger. Since John Paul II's death on April 2, one theory of succession said that the cardinals would want an older, "transitional" pope - someone to carry on the work of John Paul, but who would not remain in the post for another quarter century.

Some warn that regarding Benedict merely as a transitional figure would be to underestimate him, however. "He was not chosen for that reason," said the Rev. John Jay Hughes, a priest at Christ the King parish in University City who studied under Ratzinger in Munster, Germany, in the 1960s. "He was chosen for his outspoken articulation of the faith."

As the 265th pope spoke, and then gave his first papal blessing, the crowd in St. Peter's Square responded by chanting "Benedict! Benedict!"

The name comes from the Latin for "blessing," and is one of a number of papal names of holy origin such as Clement ("mercy"), Innocent ("hopeful" as well as "innocent") and Pius ("pious").

Benedict XV, who reigned from 1914 to 1922, was a moderate following Pius X, who had implemented a sharp crackdown against doctrinal "modernism." He reigned during World War I and was credited with settling animosity between traditionalists and modernists, and dreamed of reunion with Orthodox Christians.

"The name is a declaration of independence," said Hughes. "Ratzinger served very loyally under John Paul II, but he's no John Paul II clone. They may think the same way, but he will not attempt to be a media star, for instance, and that's a good thing."

Bishop Robert J. Hermann, auxiliary bishop of St. Louis, said he believed Ratzinger's choice of names reflected the new pope's desire to follow in the footsteps of Benedict XV.

"His mission will be about world peace, which I expect will be one of his greatest challenges as pope," he said. Hermann added he was "filled with joy" when he heard Ratzinger's name announced. He described Ratzinger as "soft-spoken," "straightforward" and "extremely bright," adding "he's probably the most scholarly cardinal."

St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke was out of town until late Tuesday. He and Ratzinger know each other well, and share a disdain for secularism. During Burke's last trip to Rome, in November, he met with Ratzinger for two hours. Most recently the two men made news when Ratzinger wrote a letter supporting Burke's warnings that he would withhold Communion from Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

"Some commentators may employ inappropriate political categories in speaking of Pope Benedict XVI. They may suggest that he is or is not on 'the side' of 'liberals' or 'conservatives' on some issues," said Edward K. Braxton, the new bishop of Belleville, who will be installed on June 22. "But, like his predecessor, the new Bishop of Rome may not be on the side of any group in the political sense. He will be on the side of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He will be on the side of humanity, especially the most vulnerable."

George J. Lucas, bishop of Springfield, Ill., said in a statement, Ratzinger's "long and trusted association with Pope John Paul II leads us to think that he will begin to build immediately on the strengths of the previous pontificate. His work as a teacher and theologian gives us confidence that the new pope will be able to communicate the truths of our faith clearly in the context of our contemporary culture."

John R. Gaydos, bishop of Jefferson City, said in a statement, "We know Cardinal Ratzinger from his long service to Pope John Paul II and are confident that he will carry on the great legacy of his predecessor."

The Rev. John T. Myler of St. Mary parish in Belleville celebrated Mass with Ratzinger at the Vatican's German college in 1995 and they shared a stroll afterward through the Vatican gardens. Myler said Ratzinger was "diminutive," putting the cardinal at about 5 feet, 4 inches, or 5 feet, 5 inches. He said Ratzinger has "piercing eyes" and speaks "perfect English."

Myler also said that he believes Ratzinger's pastoral qualities were being neglected in favor of his intellectual gifts. "He has a very strong pastoral zeal," he said. "When he walks from his home to the little grocery on his street, carrying his briefcase and his plastic bags, people stop him to talk. He is very friendly, very quick to smile and greet people."

Scholars said Ratzinger's traditional outlook might upset some.

"He's a very capable theologian," said Jeffrey Siker, a professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. "But many in the church, especially in the U.S. would rather have an early Ratzinger rather than a late Ratzinger."

When Hughes was Ratzinger's student in Munster, he said the talks Ratzinger gave were "the most beautiful lectures I've ever heard." The lectures, he said, took place at 8:15 a.m. "People would come in before work to hear them. They were like the homily he gave at the pope's funeral - that homily helped him get the job."

But the sexual revolution, political radicalism and anti-authoritarian tone of the late 1960s, "changed him," said Hughes. "He took fright."

Hughes said Ratzinger is influenced by the fifth century theologian St. Augustine, who wrote about faith in the face of an evil world. "We live in a similar time to Augustine," said Hughes, and, he said, Ratzinger "looks out at a dark world."

Monsignor Ronny Jenkins, a professor of canon law at Catholic University in Washington, said Ratzinger's intellect was balanced by his kindness, which several people interviewed referred to as "grandfatherly."

Jenkins also worked with Ratzinger's office during the height of the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the U.S. "His office was willing to deal with bishops and resolve these cases, to do what's necessary," said Jenkins.

David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said the organization realizes there will be tremendous competition for the pope's attention, but that he hopes the safety of children becomes one of his priorities.

The organization also hopes the pope will discipline bishops who transferred and shielded molesters, that he will adopt and enforce a "worldwide zero tolerance policy," and that he'll meet with an international delegation of abuse victims chosen by SNAP and like groups.

"His hard-line reputation is not based on the personality of the man, but on his job for the last 25 years," said Myler, referring to Ratzinger's position as head of the Vatican office that enforced doctrine.

"His task has been to defend the faith. His personality is going to rise to the top now - I think this is going to be a loveable pope. People will be amazed at the pastoral love Benedict will show the world."

The Associated Press in Rome, and Elizabethe Holland of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

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