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| Pope Benedict XVI appeared on the balcony
before the crowds |
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been elected as the Pope - the head of
the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics.
Taking the name Pope Benedict XVI, the 78-year-old German appeared on
the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.
His arrival was greeted by loud cheers from the many thousands of
pilgrims who had packed St Peter's Square as news of his election spread
across Rome.
He was chosen on the third round of votes by the
115 cardinals meeting
to select Pope John Paul II's successor.
The name Benedict comes from the Latin for "blessing" and the last Pope
bearing the name, Benedict XV, reigned during World War I.
Giving a short address in Italian to the crowds gathered below the new
Pope paid homage to his predecessor, and great friend, Pope John Paul II.
"Dear brothers and sisters after the great Pope, John Paul II, the
cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble worker in the Lord's
vineyard," he said.
"The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means
consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers.
"In the joy of the resurrected Lord, we go on with his help. He is
going to help us and Mary will be on our side. Thank you," he added.
Clad in white papal vestments and a short red cape, he then delivered
the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" [to the City and the World] blessing to the
city of Rome and the world.
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Pope Benedict XVI would
dine with Roman Catholic cardinals later on Tuesday and celebrate a Mass
with them in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday morning at 0900 (0700 GMT).
He will be inaugurated as the 265th pope on Sunday, the Vatican has
announced.
The new Pope had been one of the front runners in the papal election,
which began on Monday when the 115 voting cardinals were sequestered in
the Sistine Chapel for their secret conclave.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2005-04-20 08:47
