yes, habemus papum!
i didnt't expect the new pope to be elected that quickly so my adrenalin was at an all time high when i saw the "white smoke" news on CNA.com.
and i discussed with jun about Ratzinger being elected and alas, he really is!
my gut feeling was right this time.

and having just proclaimed less than 4 hours ago in my previous entry that i'm not quite ready for the new pope, the cardinals had to surprise me so quickly.
it's crazy. i remember posting a bid to pray for the late pope on saturday and hours later on sunday, he passed away. kinda psyhic yeah?

well i caught the momentous announcement of the new pope live on CNA.
was really really excited at that time, especially when the senior cardinal from chile came out and spoke a whole load of latin that left me flabbergasted except for the 2 words "habermus papum" which everyone knew meant "we have a pope".
until i heard the familiar "ratzinger" and that was when i knew the cardinals had elected the German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new pope. the first german pope in centuries.

i wasn't all that all surprised since he was deemed a forerunner by both the media and the church. but i actually wanted a non-italian and specifically someone of african or latin american descent. i think european popes are too sheltered within the european ideologies and perspective. since John Paul II, the new pope cannot just simply sit in the Vatican and deal only with Catholic issues pertaining to the European side; he had to also become a 'global' priest.
and i also thought they may want to choose someone more liberal. Ratzinger is a staunch conservative, a former ally of John Paul II's many traditional doctrines. in the contemporary context, a more liberal pontiff would be a better choice but alas, it's not a choice for the masses to make.

Ratzinger chose the name Benedict XVI.
i initially thought he would follow after John Paul but perhaps this meant he wanted to show he was different or he found inspiration in the former Benedict XV.
in this first words,
"Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II the cardinals have elected me a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord."
He also asked the world to pray for his pontificate which i would most definitely do so. probably will go for a mass after my exams. anyone is free to join me.

one interesting thing about him is that he mentioned in a recent interview that he is looking forward to retiring to concentrate on writing books.
and given the new rules for the election written by John Paul II in 1996 which states that no one should refuse burden of his office, i dunno if it was rather forced on his part to accept the palpacy. maybe i shouldn't think in that aspect.
but i don't expect his palpacy to be very long, afterall he just turned 78 last saturday and owing to his ailing health.

all in all i hope, no matter how long the term of his palpacy, Pope Benedict XVI will take on his task with the best he can do.
Fret not, for the world will pray for you.
in the words of the late John Paul II, "God who imposes the burden will sustain him with his hand, so that he will be able to bear it".

the Vatican has announced that the ceremony of the holy mass to inaugurate the pontificate will take place next Sunday 24 at 10:00 am(roman time) in St Peter's. so i guess singapore time would be about 4pm. hope CNA broadcasts it.