In one of the quickest conclave elections in Vatican history, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as the new Pope on Tuesday. Samia Nkrumah reports from Rome As the traditional white smoke came into view from St Peter's Basilica and the bells rang, the crowd quickly filled St Peter's Square. All eyes were expectantly glued to the basilica's famous balcony, with the curtain of the late John Paul II draped over it in a significant gesture of continuity, just as the new pontiff's identity was announced. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who emerged to greet the crowd as the new Pope described himself as "a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of God". There were loud cheers and applause, but the enthusiasm was somewhat muted. A few minutes after the new Pope gave his blessing, several of those interviewed on television expressed their disappointment at the conservative choice. On the second day of the conclave deliberations in the frescoed Sistine Chapel, the 115 cardinals came to a swift agreement with 77 votes in favour. The choice came as no surprise. The 78-year-old German cardinal, who had led the mass in John Paul II's funeral, was one of the leading candidates for papacy. The day after, the daily Il Messeggero came out with the headline "A strong Pope" in reference to the ease with which the new pontiff, known for his keen intellectualism, garnered consensus among the voting cardinals. Analysts quickly assessed Ratzinger's selection as a choice for continuity of the late John Paul II's traditionalist stand. The choice has confirmed suspicions that there will be few surprises and no changes in the church's position on issues like contraception and women priests. "The German Shepherd" commented the left- wing daily Il Manifesto, in ironic reference to the characteristics of the purebred pedigree noted for its superior intelligence, stability and undying loyalty that makes it an excellent choice for bomb detection. While liberal Catholics sounded cautious, proponents of theological conservatism such as the Opus Dei movement expressed approval. The famous Catholic movement founded in 1928 saw its founder Jose Maria Escriv� de Balanguer made a saint by the late Pope John Paul II in 2002. Ratzinger is a known defender of Roman Catholic orthodoxy and has argued that the Catholic Church should consolidate its position in Europe and America, its strongholds, and focus on Europe's declining Catholicism. Together with Senate President Marcello Pera of the centre-right, Ratzinger had published an essay entitled Without Roots. Europe, Relativism, Christianity, Islam last year, urging Europe to discover its Christian roots and appealing against a secular West. In the same year, Ratzinger had campaigned, unsuccessfully, for an explicit mention of Christianity in the European Union constitution. He has also raised concern in the past when he was reported to have spoken out against the admission of Turkey in the EU because it is not a predominantly Christian society. Conservative but non-confrontational, the new Pope maintains an anti-war tone. His chosen name Benedict XVI recalls Benedict XV, an Italian Pope who reigned during WWI at the beginning of the century and who was openly against that war. This line augurs well for inter- faith dialogue, which received a boost from John Paul II's opposition to the war in Iraq. In the aftermath of the 11 September attacks on New York, Ratzinger had spoken out against the notion that Christianity is superior to Islam. He also praised Islam for its strong stand on sexual ethics and the dignity of women.
