An Election Reaction

by Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
©Catholic Online 2005

+J.M.J.+

Tuesday, April 19 was a memorable day for me in St. Peter's Square as the excited crowd of an estimated 100,000, not counting those standing on and along the nearby Via della Conciliazione, heard the result of the College of Cardinals' brief but intense deliberations: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the 265th Pope, taking the name Benedict XVI.

I was in a meeting in our office in front of the Square when I heard a crowd of people roaring at about 5:43 p.m. local time. Within two minutes, I noted a similar noise. I ran down the many stairs and into the street, passing Raymond Flynn, the former mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, as I made my way to the Square. What looked to be white smoke could be seen emanating from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. Scores of men and women, boys and girls streamed towards the Square, glancing as they scurried at two large television screens strategically placed on either side of the Piazza that provided a close-up of the chimney.

Twenty minutes later, the impressive bells perched above the façade of St. Peter's Basilica began their festive melody, thereby effectively erasing any stubborn doubt: the Successor to Pope John Paul II had been chosen. It was only a matter of moments until his identity would be revealed.

Speculation was rampant around me. A priest with whom I live spied me from a distance and approached. "It has to be Ratzinger," he offered, referring to the seventy-eight year old theologian who hails from Bavaria and has served as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 1981. During the previous ten days, various Vaticaniste predicted that the multilingual and widely-traveled Cardinal Ratzinger, a prolific writer and lecturer, and former Archbishop of Munich, was the favorite to follow his longtime friend Karol Wojtyla to the Chair of St. Peter. That only four ballots were needed seemed to confirm this hunch.

After another forty minutes, the Cardinal Proto-Deacon walked onto the balcony of the Basilica to proclaim: Habemus Papam--"We have a Pope." Various sectors of the Square erupted in unrestrained shouts of glee after the Latin name Iosephus--"Joseph"--was announced, not bothering to wait for "Ratzinger."

Finally, the new Pontiff--the first German Pope in more than 900 years--appeared, labeling himself as a "humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord." He appealed to the faithful assembled to pray for him, while simultaneously entrusting himself to the celestial intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Benedict XVI concluded the historic occasion by imparting his Urbi et Orbi ("To the City and World") Blessing, which he as the Vicar of Christ will grant each Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.

Reactions from all over the globe were forthcoming soon after the papal election. President George W. Bush, speaking for himself and his wife Laura, declared: "We join with our fellow citizens and millions around the world who pray for continued strength and wisdom as His Holiness leads the Catholic Church." And the Most Rev. Donald J. Kettler, the Bishop of Fairbanks and native of Sioux Falls, observed: "Pope Benedict XVI is an intelligent man with theological fortitude, exemplary service to the Roman Catholic Church and deserving of the trust that has been bestowed upon him."

Witnessing the beginning of the Petrine ministry of Papa Ratzinger was just another in a lengthy list of unforgettable experiences for me during this cool spring in Italy's Capitol.

(From the "Sioux Falls Argus Leader," April 21, 2005.)

Contact

Mary's Field
http://www.catholic.org/featured/insert_headline.php , VA
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan - Official, 390 66616-1125

Email

fathermangan@catholic.org

Keywords

Pope Benedict XVI

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,718

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• »