As Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger earned the nickname "bulldog of Church dogma." But is there another side to him that we couldn't see until he took on the wide-ranging responsibilities of the papacy?
Here are some of the descriptions of former Cardinal Ratzinger that were caught on news broadcasts:
- he is a brilliant theologian with a keen intellect
- he will continue telling the truth, as John Paul II did
- he has an articulate ability to express not only what the Church's teachings are, but why we believe it
- he will continue the implementation of the 2nd Vatican Council
- he is kind and gentle in personal interactions
- he is calm, deliberate and organized
- he will be a unifying force for the Church
- he stood up against Hitler and Naziism by deserting the army when he was drafted into it, therefore he will be good at continuing John Paul II's outreach to Jews
- he is affable
- he is holy & humble
- he is a soft, warm, human person
- he is very thoughtful
- he is pius
- he is charming
- he has a fine sense of humor
- he's a good listener
- he has a good grasp of the social issues that we are facing
- he is very much "with" young people
"He is a very humble, personable man, quite different from the hard-line 'enforcer' image which is often portrayed of him." ~ Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, Scotland
We must trust in God — this was His choice for our next pope, and as the months and years pass, we will understand why. We are living in a time when more much prayer from around the world has been protecting the decisions of the Conclave, more than at any other time in history. If we have worries, if we have fears, if we would have chosen someone else, we will find reassurance by remembering the power of God to give the world what it most needs now at this time in history. We must not assume that the Holy Spirit has lost control of the authorities of our Church. God has been preparing Joseph Ratzinger for this role since the moment of his conception! God knows what we need — what this world needs — far more than we do.
In humility, we will recognize the plan of God.
Prayer for the Pope from the Sacramentary:
Father of providence,
look with love on Benedict, our Pope,
your appointed successor to St. Peter
on whom you built your Church.
May he be the visible center and foundation
of our unity in faith and love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
