Hey we have a new pope! Kinda neat.

What do you think??

www.cbc.ca

 

I think we have a new pope?

I'm not Catholic, and it's interesting, but not a big deal to me, but for those to which it is, "Hey, Congratulations!"

But I'm curious, how are they "named" once taking over as Pope?

 

78..... They'll be electing another one shortly..

 

Really!? He's 78 years old?!? Goodness... I'm going to get to watch three or four in my lifetime.

 

But does this dude fulfill the prophecy of St Malachy?
"The Glory of the Olive" The order of St Benedict claimed this implied someone from their order. Is this dude from this group?

 

 

I don't understand why they would elect a Pope so old?? Why not some one who is in their 50's or around that age??

 

I believe they elected a "transitional" pope, someone who won't be in power as long as John Paul II. But, who's to say that Benedict XVI won't last 26 years. He'd only be 104. If I had to bet, Benedict XVI probably had just enough votes (77) to get a 2/3 majority. I'd have to say the next pope will most likely come from the 3rd world or Latin America, since they are growing so quickly.

Benedict XVI seems like someone that will uphold John Paul II's traditions of conservatism. Then again, now that Benedict XVI has power, who knows what will happen.

Just my $0.02.

-Travis

 

because there is no clear selection. Catholisism is huge and growing in Africa and South America. To continue that growth, they will need a Pope from those areas sooner than later... but Western Europe and America are not ready for a black Pope.

 

hmmm interesting.

 

Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany; excellent choice IMO

 

So, again, what's with the name change?

 

Just a tradition. He could have used his own name and been Joseph ?? (not sure if there have been any Josephs before).

Travis

 

The newly elected pope gets to choose his name. He can choose a name that has been used before, a combination of used names or something completely new.

 

Sorry, for the ignorance, but why? He was apparently well known as a Cardinal, why does he need to change his name?