Pope Benedict XVI
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SIMPLE, HUMBLE WORKER: Ratzinger, the new Pope Benedict XVI, a longtime guardian of doctrinal orthodoxy, appearing on the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica Tuesday to a huge ovation from some 100,000 people filling the square.- AFPpic |
Profile Age: 78 Place of Birth: Bavaria, Germany Year of Birth: April 16, 1927 Career highlights:
Languages: Speaks 10 languages |
He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI and called himself “a simple, humble worker.”
Ratzinger 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.
Pilgrims chanted “Benedict! Benedict!” as the church's 265th pontiff appeared after one of the fastest papal conclaves of the past century.
“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 after being introduced by Chilean Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estivez.
“The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers,'' the new pope said. “I entrust myself to your prayers.''
Ratzinger, the first German pope in centuries, served John Paul II since 1981 as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In that position, he has disciplined church dissidents and upheld church policy against attempts by liberals for reforms. He turned 78 on Saturday.
Ratzinger is the first Germanic pope in roughly 1,000 years. There were at least three German popes in the 11th century.
Benedict, which comes from the Latin for “blessing,” is one of a number of papal names of holy origin such as Clement (“mercy”), Innocent (“hopeful” as well as “innocent”) and Pius (“pious”). The last Benedict, Benedict XV, served during World War I and was credited with settling animosity between traditionalists and modernists, and dreamed of reunion with Orthodox Christians.
The new pope had gone into the conclave with the most buzz among two dozen leading candidates. He had impressed many faithful with his stirring homily at the funeral of John Paul II, who died on April 2 at age 84.
White smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel and bells tolled earlier to announce the conclave had produced a pope. Flag-waving pilgrims in St Peter's Square chanted: “Viva il Papa!” or “Long live the pope!”
The bells rang after a confusing smoke signal that Vatican Radio initially suggested was black but then declared was too difficult to call. White smoke is used to announce a pope's election to the world.
It was one of the fastest elections in the past century: Pope Pius XII was elected in 1939 in three ballots in one day, while Pope John Paul I was elected in 1978 in four ballots in one day. The new pope was elected after either four or five ballots over two days.
“It's only been 24 hours – surprising how fast he was elected,” Vatican Radio said, commenting on how the new pope was elected after just four or five ballots.
Earlier, pilgrims were pouring into St Peter's Square, their eyes fixed on the burgundy-draped balcony of St Peter's Basilica where the new pope's name was to be read out and the pontiff himself introduced.
Pilgrims said the rosary as they awaited the name of the new pope and prelates stood on the roof of the Apostolic Palace, watching as the crowd nearly doubled in size. – AP
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