The election of Pope Benedict XVI, formerly German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was met with mixed reaction from the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics. Many were quick to condemn the new Pope as a hopeless conservative and saw his nomination as an indication that the Church is continuing to ignore the wishes of its congregation. While these arguments are well-founded, it is imperative that the world not write the Pope off in the first days of his papacy. Benedict should be allowed to define his tenure as pontiff with his appointment, instead of being defined by past decisions.
As a Cardinal, Ratzinger was known for his hard-line conservative stances on many controversial issues: birth control, abortion, women priests and homosexuality. He was vocal about these issues because it was his job when he ran the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (formerly known as the Inquisition). Benedict was entrusted to maintain the orthodoxy of the Church, an inherently conservative post. During his time in Rome, he became close friends with John Paul II. Benedict's election likely signals that the College of Cardinals wants to continue the spirit of John Paul II's papacy.
Benedict XVI has admitted himself that he does not expect to be in power for nearly as long as John Paul II. He is already 78 years old, 20 years older than John Paul when he was elected. Benedict was elected to serve as an interim pope; to keep the church in good hands while it decides what direction it wants to take next.
Serious changes do need to be made in church policy. In Africa, church officials still forbid followers from using condoms despite the ever-growing AIDS epidemic. Condoms and safe sex habits must be encouraged by the church since it is such an influential voice in sub-Saharan Africa, where the Church's congregation is growing, and can help in the fight against AIDS.
In the United States, the Church needs to confront its sex-abuse scandal head-on by punishing those who abused children or covered up abuse. Offending priests should be defrocked and criminally charged, not hidden in cushy positions in Rome.
Perhaps the best indication of how this Pope will act can be taken from his choice of names. Ratzinger chose Benedict in honor of Benedict XV, who reigned during World War I. Benedict XV worked to bring the warring allied and central powers together to negotiate peace but was ignored by world leaders. The newly ordained Benedict XVI has said that he wants to promote peace in a time of war, and unite all Catholics as his namesake strove to do. He also has said that he wants to continue the reforms of the Vatican II council, which reformed the church to make it more accessible.
No matter how controversial his social policies may be, Benedict XVI is now the head of the Church. Catholics must respect his opinions, but it would be smart for the Pope to tone down his messages since he is now in charge of all Catholics, both liberal and conservative. Doing so will help unify disillusioned Catholics with social conservatives, and prepare the church for the 21st century and the changes it will face.
