Long live Pope Benedict XVI.<\/p>\n
I am curious to see what the papacy of Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, will hold. I must admit it’s with a bit of a bittersweet feeling that I see a Carmelite Pope replaced by one who takes the name Benedict. And I will admit that I felt absolutely certain that Cardinal Ratzinger would not be the new Pope.<\/p>\n
But God, and the Cardinals, know better than I. I’ve worried some over whether John Paul’s legacy of building bridges will continue under a Pope who was inquisitor. I wonder if Pope Benedict’s history of what I perceived as extreme conservatism is a thread he will continue, or if perhaps it was simply an expression of the role he held. Time will tell, but above all I know that the Holy Spirit is still in charge.<\/p>\n
For those who might see the above statements and worry that I’m a closet liberal, hush and calm your fears. By the standards of most of the world, I’d be considered a staunch conservative. But one of the things I loved about Pope John Paul the Great was the way he strove to bring people back to the fold. I dearly hope that our new Pope will not take such a hard line against heresy that he drives those wavering away, instead of helping to heal them of their misconceptions. <\/p>\n
I’m blathering, I realize. My mind is full of a rush of thoughts and emotions right now. One thing I can tell you without reservation, though: I am prepared to love our new Pope. I believe he will be a blessing to our Church.<\/p>\n
May God bless Pope Benedict XVI with long life, good health, and above all, wisdom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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