Editorial: A new pope lifts hearts

Wednesday, April 20, 2005 | 9:26 a.m.

It was a moving moment Tuesday when gray smoke was spotted coming from a chimney at the Sistine Chapel. A new pope had been chosen and tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square and hundreds of millions of people the world over cheered, sensing joy and hope. "I entrust myself to your prayers," Pope Benedict XVI said from a balcony on St. Peter's Basilica.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany became the new leader of the Catholic Church after receiving support from at least two-thirds of the 115 cardinal electors. With their choice, the cardinals sent a signal to an intensely watching world. The commitment to orthodox Catholic doctrine so steadfastly embraced by Pope John Paul II would appear to be the same. Pope Benedict XVI, since even before his ordination in 1951, has preached against any departure from the centuries-old Catholic traditions.

The cardinals may have felt compelled to choose someone personally and doctrinally aligned with the former pope, who died April 2 at age 84 after having led the church since 1978. During the weeks leading up to Pope John Paul II's death, and in the weeks following his death, almost unprecedented emotion flowed from Catholics and non-Catholics alike. In touching so many hearts over the years, Pope John Paul II brought many Catholics back to the faith and stimulated the growth of Catholicism in countries where its reach had previously been minimal.

The new pope was appointed by John Paul II as head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981, a position he held for all of John Paul II's papacy. In this role, he stood firm against those who dissented from church doctrine, upholding the view of the man who appointed him. Under Pope Benedict XVI, it's unlikely the Catholic Church will see many "reforms." We expect the church's views on birth control, abortion, homosexuality, ordination of women, celibacy of priests and other issues central to church teaching to remain unchanged.

The world will be interested to learn whether Pope Benedict XVI will carry forth with Pope John Paul II's leadership in speaking out against repressive governments, traveling the world to meet with heads of state and lay Catholics, and reaching out to other faiths. And Catholics, particularly in this country, will be interested to see what inspiration he can bring to lapsed members who feel the church has lost its place in their lives.

Pope Benedict XVI will be formally installed on Sunday. The days leading up to that event, and the days immediately afterward, are for the world to express its joy and faith and hope. As he grows into his new responsibilities, and as the moral weight of being leader of the world's Catholics becomes heavier on his shoulders, we wish Pope Benedict XVI good health and many years to use the wisdom that comes from divine guidance.