There was actually a lot of speculation that the cardinals would do just that -- after a 26-year papacy, many thought they would want a "caretaker pope" rather than another potentially long papacy.

The new pope is, indeed, conservative, but probably not that much more so than John Paul II. He was one of JPII's right-hand men. He was also one of only 3 (I think) cardinals who was not made a cardinal by JPII. He was made a cardinal by Paul VI, and before that was a participant in Vatican II.

I called my friend Debbie as soon as I saw the smoke. We must have spent at least five minutes saying..."that's white smoke, but there are no bells." I don't know if it was because of the factit was almost the top of the hour or what, but man it took a long time to start ringing.

As for Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Ratzinger)...My friend Debbie was screaming when she heard his name. I guess he wanted the job after all. There were news reports that he didn't want to be Pope.

I wonder how he will live up to the legacy Pope John Paul II left for him.

Neither of the ladies in my office who are Catholic were able to answer this, so I thought I'd come here to GC.

Does the new pope get to pick his own name, or is there some sort of assigning process? I was just curious why he would pick Benedict XVI instead of something like John Paul III (for example) or whatever.

i dont really know why, but i wanted that one cardinal from nigeria to be the next pope.

Not being a Catholic, I have no real "dog in this fight", but doesn't it bother anyone that the former Cardinal Ratzinger was a member of the Hitler Youth? This is far from the only quote I could find about his involvement.

"This is all especially striking in light of the fact that said Papal directive was delivered to Cardinal George via Cardinal Ratzinger -- a Hitler Youth member.

That the Church's "National Socialist Party" sympathies extend well beyond Ratzinger's "youthful indiscretion" (as the Republicans would say) has long been a matter of public record. And equally long-standing is the fourth estate's unwillingness to to do anything other that toady to the Church -- even now in light of its manifest evil."

I'm pretty sure they get to pick

Each pope picks his own name.

Most of my family is Catholic (I am not). I'm somewhat concerned about the extreme conservative I've heard Benedict XVI to be.

~ Mel.

I thought they were allowed to pick their own name... but I could be wrong.

No women priests in the church yet? I am curious to know what his plan will be to bring in more Catholic priests. Stream-lining the schooling may help: I have a friend of a friend that is going to be ordained. It's like a seven year education process.

God knows we need them here.

ETA: Him or the guy from Latin America. I thought that would have been neat to see.

They pick their name to be symbolic of what they hope to accomplish as pope. Benedict the 15th was a "unifier" and looked to the roots of the church for his guidance.

I am not bothered by his past as a Hitler Youth b/c I do believe that time can change a persons beliefs. He never hid his affiliation with them. If you ever read (not that many of us have) his memoirs, he talks openly about it. Now that is something on my to do list. Pick up his memoirs & read.

I also believe that we first need to see how his papacy will run instead of picking it and him apart before he is even in office for one full day. Conservative or not, we need to wait and see. We may just be pleasantly surprised.

the "unifier" thing is interesting... not sure how someone with such a conservative stance is going to be unifying....

People don't change THAT much. 78 year olds certainly don't change their convictions at the drop of a hat (thinking of my grandfather). Not to mention the outcry he would face from those who elected him if he did change his positions all of the sudden. From everything i've read, his positions have been VERY clear.

We have every right to discuss him and the impact he may have on the church and our lives.

I got it from Charlie Gibson on ABC;)

I think it is supposed to be peacemaker-like. He and John Paul 2 were very close and he is expected to follow in that way.

Very reasonable response. I'm not sure I could be so forgiving about a leader in my own church, but that's good that you can!

=================

Habemus Papam! Benedictus XV!, Deo gratias!

The new Pope picks his own name. Usually it reflects a Saint or previous Pope that the newly elected Pope feels admiration for or is influenced by, but it is purely up to him.
My guess is that Pope Benedict XVI will carry on in the same tradition as his predecessor. They were close friends and saw eye to eye in just about everything.
One key bit to consider is that he is considered to be shy and gentle in his approach. He is a strict conservative but apparently finds it difficult to be gratuituously hard on people.
In any case he has a hard job ahead of him and we would do well to ask for help and guidance for him. Oremus!