New Pope Announced

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Thats right, after a little over 24 hours deliberation, and some confusion as to the ambiguity of the smoke pouring out of the chimney, a New Pope has been announced.

It is Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger A German who is 78 years old, and considered Pope JPII's right hand man.

A staunch conservative, he is said to have condemned things like Homosexuality, Rock Music (As a vehicle with which to spread evil) and has weighed into the debate about Turkey becoming a member of the Eu, saying that it would damage the EU's "European-ness"

All those hoping for change in the Church have been dissapointed; he plans on continuing the work of JPII.

He has taken the Name Benedict the XVI.

More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/profile/

[clutch-monkey]

It is Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger A German who is 78 years old, and considered Pope JPII's right hand man.

so nothings changed, basically. the pope is still an old man with conservative views...
if they nominated someone younger they'd get better mileage out of them

[IBrake4Rainbows]

That was my first thought: you'd reckon they'd go for someone with a few more years in him.

But from what i gather a lot of the media seem to think he's more of an interim than anything else.

[taz_rocks_miami]

I'm not Catholic, so this doesn't affect me in any way. Non the less, I wish the new Pope good luck and hope he does good things for his church :)

[Niko_Fx]

I say they want an old one so it doesn't last as long as John.

Mr. Ratzinger, praise for Germany next year, we are keeping that soccer Cup :D

[Rockefella]

One of the main reasons they chose him was for his age. Like someone said, he's merely interim. (In this case, interim could mean 20 years.)

[taz_rocks_miami]

One of the main reasons they chose him was for his age. Like someone said, he's merely interim. (In this case, interim could mean 20 years.)

He's 78 now, I doubt he'll make it to 98. I heard he's a diabetic.

[targa]

yay, i can finally sleep well at night...

[NuclearCrap]

This is quite unreasonable.......JPII became Pope at his 50's and died at his 70's, and now they chose an old man whose age is just about the same as JPII at his death. Well, even if I'm not a Catholic, I wish Joseph Ratzinger the best of luck in completing JPII's work. (I guess the Catholics will have a new Pope in less than a decade.)

[henk4]

He's 78 now, I doubt he'll make it to 98. I heard he's a diabetic.

Devious thought by the cardinals: If we appoint him as pope we will get rid of him earlier :D otherwise he stays around running office for a new inexperienced pope.
(Those who have seen the sitcom : "Yes Minister" will realise that the best move would have been to promote sir Henry to minister or prime minister)

[spi-ti-tout]

I was at my PC at about 2:30AM Local Time(GMT +4) and was listening to BBC on Windows Media Player when all of a sudden it came up.

Good luck Mr New Pope

[Rockefella]

I never said Ratzinger/Benedict the XVI is going to be 98, but death is not a guaranteed date. I said he COULD be a 20 year interim pope. In this case, it could even be 2 months.

[AstonMartinV12]

ya gotta know somethings gonna go wrong with a name like benedict

[Cotterik]

haha, quite true

The pope doesnt realy have any influence on anything round where i am (england) he's just a figure who says what is right and wrong, nobody takes any notice. This guy doesnt look to change from the last.

[ZeTurbo]

this is said to be a transitory pope.

he's 78 and diabetic, theyr not fooling anyone, he will govern what..10years, it will give the church time prepare a plan with a pope that will be younger and that will start the eral changes in the Church.

It is also quite convenient that the WYD will be in Koln, Germany next year.

as a christian i say long live the pope, wish him the best of luck.