New pope welcomed by many locals
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Welcome, Benedict XVI.
Lawrence County's Catholic community is welcoming the news of a new pope chosen Tuesday afternoon in Vatican City.
The former cardinal from Germany, Joseph Ratzinger was elevated to the papacy by 115 cardinals meeting in a conclave after the death of John Paul II.
"I think he is probably the best one that could have been selected, being that he was so closely united with the Holy Father, John Paul II," said the Rev. Anthony Batt, associate pastor of Ironton's Catholic Community. "I think the church will continue to be led by a good leader."
Batt pointed out that, like the selection of every other pope, the elevation of Cardinal Ratzinger was not merely a meeting of mortal minds but the bending of men to the will of God.
"The cardinals in the conclave were trying to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. It is actually God who has chosen him (Ratzinger) to be the leader of the church. This is not of human origin, but God himself who has chosen him to be our shepherd," Batt said.
Batt said he thought Benedict XVI would not be a leader who made huge changes but rather stayed true to the traditions and teachings of the church.
Dick McCarthy, who attends St. Joseph Catholic Church, said he didn't know much about the new pope but said Ratzinger appeared to be the favorite as the conclave began. McCarthy said he had one concern as he learned who the new pope would be.
"I'm shocked it would be someone at this age," McCarthy said, pointing out that Benedict XVI is 78 years old. "This is the oldest cardinal elected to the papacy in this century."
McCarthy said he had no preference among the cardinals. "Whoever they chose would have been fine with me," he said.
The new of a new pope was exciting for children at St. Lawrence Elementary, who were not even born when the last pope was chosen.
"This was new to them, They hadn't been through this. We brought the TV
in the gym after lunch and let the kids see what was going on and they cheered like the people in St. Peter's Square," school secretary Sally Cannon said. "I think he's
(Benedict XVI) going to be wonderful. I think he will follow along the same lines as John Paul II, who did a wonderful job."