Sunday, April 24, 2005
When the bells rang at the Basilica of the National Shrine by the Catholic University campus Tuesday, signaling that a new pope had been selected, students in a journalism course wrote down their thoughts about Pope Benedict XVI and about what his selection may mean for their generation and the church in general.
My feelings about the new pope are mixed. I am happy to have a new head of the Catholic Church. Being able to witness this change as a young Catholic is something many Catholics do not get to experience. It also gives me comfort to know that the new pope worked with Pope John Paul II.
However, I am surprised that the cardinals elected someone as old as Benedict XVI. I thought they would have elected someone younger who would have more time to make an impact.
-- Amanda Griffiths
The election of Pope Benedict XVI should be ringing bells for Catholics everywhere in the United States. It's ironic that we are so ignorant of world politics that we are surprised that the world views the present state of U.S. Catholicism as radical.
I suspect that in the coming weeks the liberal media, the same media that was widely speculating on a Latin American or African for the papacy, will be tearing apart the almost fundamentalist stance of the new pope.
-- Philip Weldon
I am sure that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger will be an excellent successor to Pope John Paul II. It is interesting to witness all the rituals surrounding the election of the new pope for the first time.
To be enrolled at the Catholic University of America makes the circumstances even more meaningful.
-- Patrick Hamrock
I am shocked that Joseph Ratzinger has been elected pope. First, because it happened so quickly, which makes me think the cardinals already had made their decision before they went into the conclave. Second, because he has such conservative beliefs, and the Catholic Church needs to take more radical action if it wants to retain believers. And third, because he was enrolled in the Nazi youth movement in 1941, although he says it was against his will.
-- Meghan Nigborowicz
Cardinal Ratzinger seems a prudent choice to be the next pope; he advised Pope John Paul II frequently. However, his policies about integrating Christian beliefs are more close-minded than those of the previous pope. This won't foster a sense of togetherness among members of our faith at a time when we need that togetherness the most.
-- John Murphy
It will be interesting to see the way the new pope runs things as well as the subjects that he follows up on from Pope John Paul II. I wish I could have been in St. Peter's Square in Rome when they announced Pope Benedict XVI to the world, but Catholic University was an exciting alternative.
-- Ellen J. Hermanson
I was raised Catholic, but I have removed myself from the church.
I will, however, watch with keen interest how Benedict XVI will interact with American Catholics considering his hard-line approach.
-- Kevin Slattery
For the new pope to be elected in such a short period shows how committed the officials of the Catholic Church are to starting a new era in the faith as well as to moving the church forward.
-- Andrew Gunderson
The media seem to think Catholic University is the epicenter of American Catholicism. I never would have expected to look out my window and see 20 news vans parked on my campus for a week.
I have been raised Catholic, but I don't think I ever gave much thought to how the pope affected my life. The whole idea of the pope always has been a formality -- especially because in the past five or so years, when I have paid attention to the news, Pope John Paul II has been so ill and seemingly inactive. I hope this new pope can change my mind about the role of the pope in my life as a young Catholic.
-- Maggie Leyden
I am happy with the elevation of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. With his background of leadership and strong conservative ideas, I believe he will have a successful reign. Even though he can never replace Pope John Paul II, I am at ease knowing our faith is being led by a person who is healthy, educated, ambitious and, now, infallible.
-- Leia DiCocco
Over the past few weeks we have heard time and again about the legacy of John Paul II. Although I am a Roman Catholic, I was unaware of the widespread positive view of John Paul's encyclicals, political stances and spiritual leadership. I had only seen the controversy some of his positions generated, including his stance against abortion, the use of condoms, stem cell research and same-sex marriage, and his reluctance to discuss the possibility of the ordination of women priests.
Many of my religious and political beliefs are conservative, and, therefore, I should be quite comfortable with Pope Benedict XVI leading my fellow 1.1 billion Roman Catholics.
During this extremely chaotic and morally challenging era, the church needs a hard-nosed man who will remain steadfast to the spiritual and practical doctrines our church has been centered around since its inception.
-- Emmett McGowan