The smoke is white, the bells are ringing.

Looks like we have a new Pope...should get to meet him within the next hour.

Cool...!!!

Apple

Nice piece of history we witnessing. The croud is going to go wild.

... but I'm still gutted they didn't even consider my application.

I got really lucky... I went to my first class today, and then my next two got cancelled... so I was in the car on my way home, and I heard all the speculation of "Is it black? Is it white?" and then they confirmed that it was white about two blocks before I got home... So as soon as I got home, I ran inside and turned on the TV AND the live feed on Yahoo. All there is so far is a bunch of screaming people and a bell that won't quit. But still, it's amazing to see how many people are there. Can anyone see Lavinia?

I'm not even Catholic, I don't know why this is fascinating me so much. Anyway, I'm glad I'm not stuck in class right now. I wonder if this is why the teacher cancelled... maybe he wants to watch it too.

By the way, just a side note... has anyone seen Euro Trip? And if so, is this whole situation just a LITTLE bit funny to anyone else, or is it just me? :p

Same here, I don't even have a religious bone in my body but to witness a long standing tradition for the first time in our lives is cool.

If it was me I'd play a joke and lead a Llama or Duck out as the new Pope.

"This is our supreme pontiff"

"Quack"

Imagine the faces drop.

WOW!! In about five minutes, the crowd pretty much doubled in size... isn't that crazy?! The people are pouring in. That's an amazing number of people. From far away, it doesn't even look like people.

They look like they're having a lot of fun... people are singing, cheering, etc. I kinda wish I was there. It's so cool, all these strangers from all over the world are standing together and having fun and making friends and singing songs. What are they cheering about every few minutes? Does anyone know? Is there like a street performer breakdancing to his own beats or something?

Oh, and I saw an American flag... That makes me happy.

In the last few years, most of the things that have gone down in history that people will remember forever have been pretty sad... ie 9/11, the war in Iraq, etc.

I'm glad this bit of history is one where people are cheering and we can watch them on the internet and be all excited with them. I was beginning to think that I was going to grow up to tell my kids about all the sad things I remember, and how I watched the demise of the world. It sounds dramatic, I know; but it's true, isn't it?

Anyway, time for the drama. Woo hoo!! Multiple languages... how fun!

I figured it had to be Joseph Ratzinger, since the election was so quick.

Yes, as I predicted to my small circle of bookie pals, a European(but non-Italian) Pope has been elected.

Since hes around 77 years old, this German Pope will be a "temporary" man.

Of course, Nostrodomus claims that the NEXT Pope will be the last.

So ya, an American Pope is next, yo!

I think you're mistaken. Benedict was chosen. It's a bit of a coincidence there's been 15 Benedicts before him. :rolleyes:

Edit: whoops, 15 not 14 before him.

Oh har har...

Pope Benedict XVI...meh.

But hey, its his choice.

I think they just picked him out of habit... like, "Ah, let's do another Benedict, whaddya think?"

By the way, why don't they ever keep their real names? Like why couldn't he have been Pope Joseph? That doesn't sound bad, it's sounds old enough. Like if his name was Brandon or Kevin, that sounds kinda informal, for some reason. But I'd go with the Joseph, why not?

Is there a story behind why they change their names?

Oh, and is anything else gonna happen on that video? An hour and five minutes later, I'm finally sick of that bell... will I miss anything if I turn it off?

I see he is a gifted pianist

Zia has a point, why not Joseph, after all he was Jesus' father. Maybe that's a little arrogant. I'm sure we'll find out in the days to come why he chose Benedict. St. Benedict is famous for his monastery on Montecassino in Italy - The Benectine order of priest, and kind of the rules on monastic life.

Turi the Blasphemer - llama or duck :rolleyes: . I was thinking more like a big balloon.

Yes, and the last Pope Benedict was during WWI where the Vatican stayed neutral and tried to get the whole thing settled ...interesting that Ratzinger is German in this regard.

Well, I've been so busy at work, my head is spinning. I haven't heard anything more than we've got a new Pope and he's German.

Does anyone know anything about him yet?? I saw his picture, but that's about it. Gee, it seems so weird not having John Paul. Anyway, what the story on him, anyone know?
I probably won't get any more info until I can relax later tonight.


TIS

While watching this event today, I realized that I was witnessing history. Fabulous tuff! But to be perfectly honest, while they were waiting for the anouncement and the cameras were scanning Rome on the TV, I could not help but think of :

"Neri, take a train to Rome. Light a candle for the Archbishop."


Anyway,here you go TIS :
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Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and International Theological Commission, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was born on 16 April 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He was ordained a priest on 29 June 1951.

His father, a police officer, came from a traditional family of farmers from Lower Baviera. He spent his adolescent years in Traunstein, and was called into the auxiliary anti-aircraft service in the last months of World War II. From 1946 to 1951, the year in which he was ordained a priest and began to teach, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at the higher school in Freising. In 1953 he obtained a doctorate in theology with a thesis entitled: "The People and House of God in St. Augustine’s doctrine of the Church". Four years later, he qualified as a university teacher. He then taught dogma and fundamental theology at the higher school of philosophy and theology of Freising, then in Bonn from 1959 to 1969, Münster from 1963 to 1966, Tubinga from 1966 to 1969. From 1969, he was a professor of dogmatic theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg and Vice President of the same university.

Already in 1962 he was well known when, at the age of 35, he became a consultor at Vatican Council II, of the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joseph Frings. Among his numerous publications, a particular post belongs to the ‘Introduction to Christianity’, a collection of university lessons on the profession of apostolic faith, published in 1968; Dogma and revelation, an anthology of essays, sermons and reflections dedicated to the pastoral ministry, published in 1973.

In March 1977, Paul VI elected him Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on 28 May 1977 he was consecrated, the first diocesan priest after 80 years to take over the pastoral ministry of this large Bavarian diocese.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of 27 June 1977. Titular churches, suburbicarian see of Velletri-Segni (5 April 1993) and suburbicarian see of Ostia (30 November 2002).

On 25 November 1981 he was nominated by John Paul II Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; President of the Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission.

Relator of the 5th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (1980).

President Delegate to the 6th Synodal Assembly (1983).

Elected Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals, 6 November 1998. On 30 November 2002, the Holy Father approved the election, by the order of cardinal bishops, as Dean of the College of Cardinals.

President of the Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and after 6 years of work (1986-92) he presented the New Catechism to the Holy Father.

Laurea honoris causa in jurisprudence from the Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta, 10 November 1999.

Honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 13 November 2000.


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Don Cardi

A beautiful day to be human.

He's very conservative, and from what I read, not overly popular in his homeland until now. A lot of Catholics were hoping for a more moderate or liberal Pope.

He seems to be very conservative. What will be interesting is hearing his position on priests who 'prey on' young boys. It will also be interesting to hear his views on the significance of Mary. Finally, it will be interesting to see if Catholicism splits into groups based on ethnicity - there was a growing demand for a black or latino pope. This gentleman was an insider and seems like a logical choice. I wonder if the Catholics of Color will use their revenue support to leverage Vatican policy.

I am not a Catholic and I've been wondering how they elect a Pope. How do they decide who gets to be in the running for the Pope's position? Why does the Pope have to be a older person? And what does the word 'Conclave' mean? Do they ask the person first who gets the votes if he wants the job or is it just automaticly given? Sorry for the I was just wondering.

I'm not Catholic either, but what I've been seeing on the news is the Pope is elected out of the 115 Cardinals. They elect one of their own. The one getting 2/3 of the vote is elevated to Pope.

Good queries, DP, especially the one regarding young boys. It still blows my mind how few of those pedophiles actually saw the inside of a jail for those crimes. Why are there 2 sets of laws when it comes to that, one for the ordinary(?) sick pedophile and one for the "wayward" priest? Makes about as much sense as screen doors on a submarine. I pray to God (literally!) that there doesn't arise any racial divisions. There's far too much of that in the secular sphere as it is.

(Sorry, Mignon, I didn't mean to gloss past your post, but I'm gettin' old, so I thought I'd better say something on DP's post before it slipped my feeble brain! Someone be so kind as to address Mignon, please! )

Jeez, Beth, you're fast!

Pope Benedict XVI is 78 years old. They have been saying that he is a "transitionary" pope. But they are also saying that he is almost a clone of Pope John Paul The Great (II), he has the same principles, the same beliefs, and he was very close to Pope John Paul The Great (II).

I guess being fast isn't always bad then. :p

Well I am Catholic, but admit not an expert on Papal elections (it's been so many years since the last). I'll try to explain it as I understand it. Anyone else feel free to jump in and correct/modify.

First of all Miggie, the Conclave is the "meeting" selecting the Pope, consisting of Cardinals, who are, I guess you'd say in layman's terms "high ranking' Priests. :p

As far as the age goes, I don't know that they have an minimum age requirement, but I don't think there's ever been a Pope in his fifties.

It's my understanding that these Cardinals meet and vote, several times if need be. When one person gets two thirds of the vote, he is the new Pope. However, I learned that Pope John Paul, during his term changed it, and now they vote 3 times, and if after three times no one reaches 2/3 majority, it's whoever has the majority of the votes. Jump in you guys if you understand this differently.

Don Provolone, as far as Mary goes, she will "always" be an important figure in the Catholic Church and I don't see, nor would I personally want any change there.

I hear this Pope is conservative, and I really was hoping for someone a little more liberal who isn't afraid to address some issues that many good Catholics want to discuss (i.e. birth control, married Priests)

To Snake, I think it's crucial that they address child sexual abuse by Priests. I really want this new Pope to speak out... No, not just speak out, but emphatically condemn it and do and say in the strongest possible language whatever necessary; kick them out of the Priesthood and have them fess up to their crime, and yes serve the time like anyone else. They have no business, and no right to even imply that they are doing God's work. With all that being said, let me also say, that these Priests (I hesitate to call them that), do NOT reflect the majority of Priests in the Catholic Church. Yes this Pope must step forward on this issue.

Having a cousin who is a Priest, and a darn good one at that, It breaks my heart to see such vile behavior coming from ministers of my faith, because I know these few don't speak for the entirety of the Priesthood.

Ok, I'm done, It's taken be about a half hour and someone else probably answered these questions much more eloquently than me, but that's my two cents. :p

TIS

Pope John Paul II was very dedicated to the Virgin Mary. I believe this pope will be just as devoted to her as well.

The cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to be considered for the position. You cannot "skip" the chain of command. For example, a monsignor cannot be elevated to be pope. The cardinals under 80 enter conclave (from the Italian "con chiavo", meaning that they are under lock and key), which is ultra-secret. They are locked in the Sistine Chapel and vote for one of their own to be the next pope. When they vote, if they didn't come reach a 2/3 majority, the ballots are burned with certain chemicals that make the smoke appear black (they also disguise their handwriting when they vote, btw). If they come to an agreement, the ballots are burned with chemicals that make the smoke white.

I don't think there is a minimum age, but since it takes many years to become a cardinal, I would say that John Paul II, who was elected when he was 58, was considered pretty young.

yes Pope John Paul II was one of the youngest Popes ever.

The cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to be considered for the position. You cannot "skip" the chain of command. For example, a monsignor cannot be elevated to be pope. The cardinals under 80 enter conclave (from the Italian "con chiavo", meaning that they are under lock and key), which is ultra-secret. They are locked in the Sistine Chapel and vote for one of their own to be the next pope. When they vote, if they didn't come reach a 2/3 majority, the ballots are burned with certain chemicals that make the smoke appear black (they also disguise their handwriting when they vote, btw). If they come to an agreement, the ballots are burned with chemicals that make the smoke white.

I don't think there is a minimum age, but since it takes many years to become a cardinal, I would say that John Paul II, who was elected when he was 58, was considered pretty young. [/b][/quote]Very interesting. I watched this on tv. But any idea why they make the process so complicated, first a secret conclave then white smoke. Isn't just a simple anonymous ballot sufficient, just like voting happens in any other place? With just a 115 people, it should not have taken more than 10 min to do the entire thing. But it was very interesting to watch this. Even my father who generally sleeps before 10 pm stayed awake to watch it, especially after the bells started ringing. It was funny (no offence intended here) that I initially mistook the first person who emerged from the balcony to announce the name of the pope, to be the actual pope. I was wondering why did they choose such an old person. When the actual pope emerged, he definitely seemed younger(though I read later that he is 78!). I also think that the name 'Benedict' sounds great. Also the city was so beautiful, with wonderful architecture.

Did you see how fast the square filled up with people when the white smokw started to come out? It was cool to watch it.