(U-WIRE) WASHINGTON - "Habemus papam", Latin for "We have a pope" were the words heard around the world last Tuesday when the election Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, was announced.
The 78 year old Cardinal was elected by the College of Cardinals as the 265th leader of the Catholic Church, after only the second day of conclave at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Despite his age, the German Cardinal Ratzinger was the clear favorite from the start. Ratzinger, known to some as Pope John Paul II's "Rotweiller", was among his closest allies while serving under him as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the Vatican's most important posts.
Many progressive Catholics fear that his views are far too conservative, including his hard line against abortion, birth control, the ordination of women, and homosexuality. He has also taken a fair amount of criticism about his involvement (though mandatory) with the Hitler youth group, and his service in the German army during World War II. However, he abandoned the Nazi army in April of 1945, and his father was known for his anti-Nazi sentiment.
His homily, delivered the day after his election, aimed to dismantle some of these preconceived stereotypes, and reinforce his goals of openness and reconciliation within the Catholic community, as well as with other faiths.
"I will make every effort and dedicate myself to pursuing the promising dialogue that my predecessors began with various civilizations, because it is mutual understanding that gives rise to conditions for a better future for everyone," Benedict said.
Student opinions in the Washington area range from skepticism to hope. A recent article by the Washington Post chronicled various student opinions from Catholic University on the election of the new pope;
"Cardinal Ratzinger seems a prudent choice to be the next pope; he advised Pope John Paul II frequently. However, his policies about integrating Christian beliefs are more close-minded than those of the previous pope. This won't foster a sense of togetherness among members of our faith at a time when we need that togetherness the most," said Catholic University student John Murphy.
The 78 year old Cardinal was elected by the College of Cardinals as the 265th leader of the Catholic Church, after only the second day of conclave at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Despite his age, the German Cardinal Ratzinger was the clear favorite from the start. Ratzinger, known to some as Pope John Paul II's "Rotweiller", was among his closest allies while serving under him as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the Vatican's most important posts.
Many progressive Catholics fear that his views are far too conservative, including his hard line against abortion, birth control, the ordination of women, and homosexuality. He has also taken a fair amount of criticism about his involvement (though mandatory) with the Hitler youth group, and his service in the German army during World War II. However, he abandoned the Nazi army in April of 1945, and his father was known for his anti-Nazi sentiment.
His homily, delivered the day after his election, aimed to dismantle some of these preconceived stereotypes, and reinforce his goals of openness and reconciliation within the Catholic community, as well as with other faiths.
"I will make every effort and dedicate myself to pursuing the promising dialogue that my predecessors began with various civilizations, because it is mutual understanding that gives rise to conditions for a better future for everyone," Benedict said.
Student opinions in the Washington area range from skepticism to hope. A recent article by the Washington Post chronicled various student opinions from Catholic University on the election of the new pope;
"Cardinal Ratzinger seems a prudent choice to be the next pope; he advised Pope John Paul II frequently. However, his policies about integrating Christian beliefs are more close-minded than those of the previous pope. This won't foster a sense of togetherness among members of our faith at a time when we need that togetherness the most," said Catholic University student John Murphy.
