Habemus Papam

Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a German, has been elected as Pope. He is the first German Pope in 1,000 years & at 78 the oldest Pope in 200 years.

Pope John Paul II's legacy will be a tough act to follow. Pope Benedict is very conservative in his adherence to traditional Catholic tenets. A close friend of John Paul, expect Pope Benedict to continue John Paul's mission. More liberal Catholics will be disappointed in his selection. The age of Cold War tensions during John Paul's era is gone & thus the focus of Pope Benedict will probably be more towards reinvigorating the Church & reaffirming the Church's basic tenets.

St. Malachy, through a vision, laid out a list of the last remaining Popes before the end of times. Pope Benedict is second to last. At his age his tenure in office may be a relatively short one, thus bringing us soon to the final Pope.

We wish Pope Benedict a successful & very long term in office.