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Joseph Ratzinger Becomes Pope Benedict XVI

Aired April 19, 2005 - 14:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The Roman Catholic Church, a billion- plus Catholics, now have a new leader. Pope Benedict XVI, he was elected pope about -- almost three hours ago. We're approaching the time we first saw that smoke and as our viewers who are watching then remember, it was unclear -- it clearly is white now, with hindsight, but at the time, since we didn't hear the bells that were supposed to ring simultaneously when there was a new pope, we were uncertain what had happened, but then eventually the bells began to ring.
It took almost ten minutes for official confirmation with the bells. We then knew there was a new pope. And shortly thereafter, the announcement was made and there he is, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, walked out to that balcony at St. Peter's Square and spoke movingly of his selection to become Pope Benedict XVI.

Our analysts John Allen and Delia Gallagher are still with us. John, when you saw that moment, when you finally saw him emerge, you pointed out, as all of us certainly agreed -- it was not a great surprise, but still it was a very, very moving moment. And remind our viewers why it took your breath away, and I know it took Delia Gallagher's breath away, as well.

JOHN ALLEN, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Well, Wolf, for one thing, because as Delia said a moment ago, I mean, it is a clear, strong -- I would say almost clarion (ph) choice by the cardinals to elect one of their own member to become Pope Benedict XVI, who will take an extraordinarily strong stand as pope. Beyond that, what struck me is that this, in a way, is not the Joseph Ratzinger that we are accustomed to seeing from media coverage and treatment on newspapers and so forth, where he's often described as a bruiser and a bully. This was a beaming, smiling, upbeat man, who was greeting his flock for the first time, and in that sense, sort belying his public image.

One other point I would make, though, Wolf, is that this is a pope would begins, in a sense, with a bit of baggage. He is not someone who is unknown, at least within the Catholic world, quite the contrary. He is that unusual Vatican figure who has been a celebrity. His 1986 interview with Vittore Mosorio (ph), called "The Ratzinger Report," became a runaway bestseller by the standards of Catholic publishing.

And while his election will be cheered by many Catholics around the world, there also will be a liberal wing of the Catholic Church that will be quite demoralized tonight, feeling that, in a sense, a man hostile to some of their visions for church reform has been elected. And it will be interesting to see what Pope Benedict XVI does over the next days and week to reassure them that there is space in the church for them, as well.

And I might just note -- and amid all this speculation about why the name Benedict XIV, I mean, let me put one other card on the table, which is that one of things Benedict the XV did when he elected in the early 20th century is he ended something known as the anti-modernist crackdown. It had been a period of really ferocious conservatism, crackdown on liberal thought in the Catholic Church. It's interesting, whether it was in Pope Benedict XVI's mind or not. The symbolism is interesting, that he would choose to pick up the mantle of another pope who ended a ferociously conservative period, and led a pontificate of outreach and healing.

BLITZER: Delia Gallagher, I suspect there will be some disappointment in Latin America, outside of Europe in general, with the selection of another European -- especially in Latin America where there are so many Catholics, and where there have been indications in recent years that evangelical Protestants are making inroads among traditional Catholics. There have been lot speculation that perhaps this was the moment to move beyond Italy, and perhaps even Europe, but that certainly has not happened.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I think clearly there's going to be disappointment in lots of different country, because, one thing we realized here in Rome, was many people were rooting for their national cardinal and hoping that this would sort of usher in an era of a Latin American or an African pope. Indeed, we've talked about it a lot in the press.

On the other hand, I think there is, as we've said, this great respect and admiration for Pope Ratzinger. Indeed, he has many very good relations with some of the Latin Americans. Of course, there is also the issue of liberation theology, and the more liberal Latin American bishops, let us say, priests, as John mentioned, will probably not be happy about this choice and be concerned about the future and that's why it will be interesting to see now, in these next few months, how he is going to handle that, because as pope, of course, he's got a very different role than he had at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He has to bring in a lot of these people.

What we've seen at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith is a man who has been very firm and has been very committed to the Catholic doctrine but has not yet had to play that role of bringing them in because he had Pope John Paul II to do that. So, now, I think what we're going to watch is a Cardinal Ratzinger who becomes Pope Ratzinger. That's what happens. The cardinal isn't -- the pope isn't a pope until he's had a bit time to be one. It will be interesting to see in the next year exactly what changes come about in the person of Cardinal Ratzinger.

BLITZER: And he's -- I assume he speaks Spanish and Portuguese, but correct me if I'm wrong, John or Delia. I assume he speaks both of those languages?

ALLEN: He does, he speaks both of those languages quite well. I think, as Delia said, he is certainly a known quantity in the Latin American church. And I think, you know, obviously there was some rooting going on for a cardinal from Brazil or Honduras or from Africa or from Asia.

What will be interesting to see is whether Pope Benedict XVI further -- furthers the internationalization of the leadership of the Catholic Church, both in terms of the college of cardinals and also the men he appoint to senior leadership positions here in the Vatican. Obviously, there's one big vacancy right away which is, we don't have a prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is, after all -- it used to be called "la suprema," the supreme office in the Vatican, certainly one of the two most important organs of the Vatican. Very interesting to see who he would pick as his successor in that role.

It will be interesting to see the extent of which he brings Latin Americans, Africans and Asians, both into his appointments as cardinals, in his appointments as senior Vatican officials, and to his appointment as bishops. Because the truth is that electing' pope is not the only way for the global south and the Catholic Church to have a voice. It will be interesting to see if the Pope Benedict XVI wants to give them that voice by the kind of appointments, especially early on, he makes.

BLITZER: I'm going to have both of you, Delia and John, stand by.

Our Deborah Feyerick is outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, getting some reaction from American Catholics, specifically New Yorkers. What are they saying to you, Deb?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Wolf, surprisingly, the reaction here at St. Patrick's Cathedral has really been very, very mixed. We spoke to about six people; only one thought this choice was actually a good one. Just so give you sort of a small sampling, an actress from New Jersey said she did not think Cardinal Ratzinger would do anything to win back American Catholics.

We spoke to a man from France and he said, that, whereas the death of Pope John Paul II had united Catholics around the world, he really thought that this was a choice that would again divide them. He said this because of the cardinal's very conservative views and also because of his history, his ties to the German army and also the Hitler Youth. This was something that was raised by a Jewish mom and daughter who I spoke to. They're from New York, and they said that they really didn't think that the cardinal would be able to do as much or have the same kind of impact as the earlier pope did. They were very, very skeptical about him as a choice.

There was only one man, one man from Florida, who was willing to give Pope Benedict the benefit of the doubt. He said that, as long as he can unite Catholics everywhere, then he thinks this will be a good choice. He said he was will to give him a chance. The only thing everybody could agree on, Wolf, was the fact he was chosen so quickly, and they all believe that, in fact, he had very much the blessing and the backing of Pope John Paul II. Wolf? BLITZER: All right. We'll stand by for more reaction. Our Deborah Feyerick, outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. We're going to take another quick break. Much more reaction to the election of a new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, right after this.

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BLITZER: Pope Benedict XVI, the 265th pontiff, elected only within the past three hours or so. We're getting reaction from around the world. Our Thelma Gutierrez is in Los Angeles, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angeles Church in Los Angeles. Give us some reaction. What are some people saying there, Thelma?

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the people that we have talked to said they are cautiously optimistic at this point. They are happy a new pope has been elected. At the same time, they're cautiously optimistic, they say, because this is a conservative pope. They're concerned about his stand on women in the church, his stand on gays. This something that has been interesting as we've been talking to people who have trickled in. Again, they say they're very happy. They with hoping, though, perhaps it may have been a more liberal pope.

I can tell you that the flag is flying here at the cathedral. You can see it behind me. There is gold bunting hanging above the cathedral doors in celebration of the pope. In just a few minutes, Wolf, there will be a special mass here called "the Mass on the Election of the Pope," which is scheduled within the next few minutes, here, at the cathedral, to celebrate Pope Benedict XVI. Already there are about a hundred people inside the cathedral, many more coming in right now.

Los Angeles is the largest diocese in the United States. It represents five million Catholics, 70 percent of whom are Latino. Many people coming in from downtown on their lunch break, coming in to celebrate the new pope. And as word spread, we were finding out that different priests have come out here, members of the church. Of course, the Cardinal Mahony is in Rome right now. They're expecting him to come back just as soon as the installment is completed -- Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: All right. Thelma Gutierrez in Los Angeles, getting reaction to the selection of a new pope, Pope Benedict XVI.

Our Alessio Vinci is on the ground in St. Peter's Square. He's getting reaction from the pilgrims, the tourists, the others, who still there in big numbers.

Alessio, before we get to that, there's word on the wire services, they're quoting the German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (ph) as saying that he's looking forward to seeing Pope Benedict XVI in August in Cologne at the World Youth Day. Is there official, as far as you know, announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will, in fact, make that trip, will attend the World Youth Day and Youth Day events in Cologne, Germany, at the end of the summer? ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, there is no official statement coming out of the Vatican regarding this World Youth Day and whether or not Pope Benedict XVI will attend. However, I must tell you, I would be very surprised if Joseph Ratzinger, Cardinal Ratzinger, now pope, would not be in Cologne, Germany. I think this significance of this meeting, not only an opportunity to talk to the young people, but also the fact that the meeting is taking place in Germany, in the native country of Joseph Ratzinger. So I would -- if I had to put one -- my last dollar -- bet my last dollar on it, I would imagine Pope Benedict XVI will be going to Germany. But, of course, we do not have it officially from the Vatican, at least not for now.

What we do is from the Vatican is the official newspaper -- the Osservatore Romano, which only an hour and ten minutes after the official election of the pope came out with an extraordinary addition. "Habemus papam," of course, we have a pope. Josephum Ratzinger, that's the Latin name for Joseph Ratzinger. Quisibi nomen imposuit (ph), who is known as, who imposes his name as Benedict XVI. And then here, a brief article about how, for the past few weeks, they went through sadness -- "We have prayed, we have waited, we have implored the holy spirit, and now God has given him, given us the successor of Peter. We are no longer alone. Peter is with us, the successor of peter is with us."

This is the official newspaper of the Vatican, the "Osservatore Romano" with, as you pointed out earlier, Wolf, the money shot. Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, appearing on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, on the main logia (ph), right here behind us, over the basilica, just a few hours ago, when, in front of a crowd of tens of thousands of people who were gathered here, waiting for this very special moment, the name of Joseph Ratzinger was pronounced by Cardinal Medina, to announce to the world, indeed, that Joseph Ratzinger had been named the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Now here in the square, there were people from all walks of life, from around the world. I've seen flags from all around the world. One gentleman here earlier today with a flag from South Sudan. So that tells you a little about the reach of Pope John Paul II.

And among the people here in St. Peter's Square today is Wilson. You are from Cameroon. However, you live here in Rome. You're a businessman. First of all, tell me about your reaction when you heard that Cardinal Ratzinger was made pope.

WILSON FOKAM, CAMEROON: First of all, as you know, that is a problem of faith. It's not a politic or economic or social problem. And spiritually, when we heard that this was Joseph Ratzinger, I was not really happy.

VINCI: Why not?

FOKAM: But -- but, but, few minutes after, I say "Why not?" It's not a problem of men, the problem of our religion. We, young Catholics, we expect a pope coming from America or from Africa... VINCI: Well, there was a lot of talk about perhaps Cardinal Arinze, from Nigeria, to be named pope. Are you disappointed that an African...

FOKAM: Francis Arinze.

VINCI: Are you disappointed that he was not named pope?

FOKAM: No, no, because it's not a problem of man. The problem of our religion is not problem of man, and we have to pray to have a pope who can do the job we need.

VINCI: So tell me what are the problems that the new pope Benedict XVI will have to face?

FOKAM: We have many problems about pedophilia. We have problem about homosexuality, our presence of vocation...

VINCI: Lack of priests around the world. Do you think that Joseph Ratzinger is the right man to tackle these problems? Do you feel that he is the right person? Do you think he will represent...

FOKAM: It's all right, and the best one.

VINCI: Why? Tell me why. Why do you feel that way?

FOKAM: He's 78 and his work with the late pope many, many years ago. So we think that we have to pray, we have to pray. And just wait, we will see.

VINCI: OK. What would you like him to do first? What is the first problem you would like for him to say this is the thing that needs to be changed right now in the church? Briefly.

FOKAM: We don't have to fear. We're young. So we don't have to fear. We have to come back home and read our bible. We have come back home and pray, kneel down and pray.

VINCI: Thank you, Wilson, thank you very much. Thank you very much for being with us. And Wolf, let me show you one more -- one last time here, the newspaper of "Osservatore Romano." This is the extraordinary edition here, "habemus papam," Joseph Ratzinger named the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Back to you.

BLITZER: Alessio Vinci. Thanks very much, Alessio. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, much more coverage, reaction, coming in from around the world. Pope Benedict XVI, the new pope. We'll be right back.

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BLITZER: Welcome back to our continuing coverage. Pope Benedict XVI is the new pope. Some three hours ago, we began to see the smoke emerge from that chimney. There it was. It was a little unclear at the beginning whether it was white, gray, black. Initial reports suggested it was black because there were no bells that were ringing out, which was supposed to happen simultaneously if, in fact, a new pope had been elected. It took almost ten minutes, but eventually, the bells began to ring out. Let's listen to those bells.

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BLITZER: And that was the sound, the signal, yes, the confirmation that there was a new pope, the 265th pope. The former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

The official announcement came from Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez. He walked out to that balcony. There, you see him, in middle. And he read out the announcement that, yes, there is a new pope. And has name is Joseph Ratzinger. His new name Pope Benedict XVI.

Within a few minutes, there he emerged, smiling broadly, waving to the thousands who had rushed to St. Peter's Square, to share in this moment of history. It was full. Only, only a little while earlier, it was pretty empty.

It came at such a surprise to so many observers. Twenty-four hours after the conclave convened at the Vatican, they emerged with a consensus. Two-thirds at least of those 115 cardinals going quickly in favor of Joseph Ratzinger.

Let's bring in our analysts, who have been watching this, helping us better understand what's going on. Delia Gallagher is still with us. John Allen is still with us, as well.

Delia, I'll begin with you. Walk with the process now. We understand he was dining with other cardinals tonight, that according to the Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls. What about the next few days, leading up to the inauguration mass on Sunday?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think, Wolf, what we can expect in the next few days is relative calm in the sense that we will have Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, having to make quite a lot of decisions privately but probably not making those decisions public for some time.

He has a whole house to put in order, as it were. And has to either renominate those cardinals who were in positions under John Paul II or fill those roles, if he wishes to change those positions. There is obviously a lot of internal housekeeping for him to take care of, as well.

What we will see, of course, on Sunday is the inaugural mass, the real beginning of this pontificate. And get some very good clues from his homily on Sunday as to where he wishes to take the church.

BLITZER: What's your sense, John? You know a lot about this, the process, the immediate priorities for Pope Benedict XVI in these coming days.

ALLEN: Well, Wolf, I think Delia's quite right, that aside from the ceremonial obligations that the pope will face. And let's bear in mind that this is a Tuesday evening here in Rome. It is theoretically possible, I suppose. The pope could choose to hold his regular Wednesday audience tomorrow, but I think that's probably quite unlikely. Probably will be the first time we will see him play a kind of ceremonial role in the public stage will be Sunday at the mass.

But -- but there's a lot of internal sort of getting his ducks in a row, so to speak, that has to happen. And this is a man who, having spent 24 years at the pinnacle of power in the Roman curio (ph), certainly is going to be sensitive to making sure that the machinery of church governance continues to function smoothly.

So I suspect that nominations to senior posts confirming people in their posts will happen, if historical patterns hold. Then, in relatively short order, Pope Benedict XVI will begin naming his own men to those posts.

And if I might, let me just suggest a couple of men in various parts of the world to keep your eye on. Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn in Vienna, Austria. Like Father Thessia (ph), with whom you spoke earlier, Wolf, studied under then Cardinal Ratzinger at Regensburg (ph) in the 1970s. When Ratzinger wanted someone to edit the new general catechism of the Catholic Church he -- he turned to Schoenborn. One wouldn't be surprised to see Cardinal Schoenborn play an important role in Pope Benedict's papacy.

Another man I mentioned earlier, Archbishop William Levada of San Francisco who worked with Ratzinger in the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in the early '80s might well be taped to play some kind of role.

And it would be no surprise to see the cardinal of Genoa, Tarcisio Bertone, who was Ratzinger's secretary at the Congregation for the Faith, perhaps be turned to at least informally, if not formally to work in the Vatican.

One other name to watch in all of this, Wolf, will be the fate of Cardinal Walter Casper, a fellow German who currently runs the Vatican's Office for Ecumenism. He and Ratzinger have very publicly crossed swords over the years over issues like collegiality, of which comes first, the universal church or the local church.

And it would it be a fascinating move for Pope Benedict's papacy if he were to give perhaps an even more prominent role to Cardinal Ratzinger -- excuse me, to Cardinal Casper. It would be a very clear way of reassuring the church's liberal wing, so to speak, that there's going to be room for them, too, in this pontificate.

BLITZER: Do you expect, Delia, this pope to do a lot of traveling? Has that been his style as cardinal, that he goes out there, he spends a lot of time outside of the Vatican?

GALLAGHER: Well, no, it hasn't been because of his role mainly at Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It's very much in that home role. He has an office job, as it were.

Of course, he has traveled with Pope John Paul II on many of his papal trips. And you were speaking earlier about the World Youth Day in Cologne. I have no doubt that Pope Benedict XVI will be at that event, because it's one which was started by Pope John Paul II. And I think a very good platform for Pope Ratzinger to begin to draw in that great momentum that John Paul II started with the youth in particular.

BLITZER: Let me read a little reaction that we're getting in from leaders from around the world. And then we'll get your reaction to what we're hearing.

The German chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, clearly very proud that a fellow German has become pope, the first German in about a thousand years to be pope. That the new pope, Benedict XVI, comes from Germany, Schroeder said, "That is a great honor for our whole country."

We're also getting this reaction from Kofi Annan, the U.N. secretary-general. "His holiness brings a wealth of experience to this exalted office. The United Nations and the Holy See share a strong commitment to peace, social justice, human dignity, religious freedom and mutual respect among the world's religions."

John, on the issue of some of these political or social issues, humanitarian issues that affect the Vatican and infect people all around the world, what kind of track record does Pope Benedict XVI have?

ALLEN: Well, Wolf, again I think to some extent his track record is encumbered by the nature of the job he's held. It's not been a position that has asked him to speak much on those kind of social questions you just answered.

And actually, it's perhaps even a bit more clouded than that, because in the 1980s, and Delia alluded to this earlier, there was a strong push in Latin American Catholicism for something known as liberation theology. And essentially the idea of that was to align Roman Catholicism with progressive movements for social change, to place it on the side of the poor, especially in the political struggles against the military dictatorships.

Ratzinger cracked down rather harshly on that movement, it has to be said. He saw it as a kind of Marxism in another guise and an excessive politicization, so to speak, of the church. And for that reason, I think some of the church's social justice activists will perhaps have some trepidation tonight about exactly where Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate will head.

Once again I think it will be very important in the early days what signals he sends by the kind of people he appoints, to run, for example, the Council for Justice and Peace, and the content of those early messages. For example, the homily we are hearing now, he may celebrate some kind of service tomorrow morning. What he has to say, what he says during the inauguration mass on Sunday in terms of where he might want to take this pontificate.

I think lots of different constituencies in the church and in the broader world, obviously, will be hanging on those words for some indication of where he intends to go.

BLITZER: All right, John Allen, Delia Gallagher, they're going to be standing with us because we're going to continue our special coverage, the election of a new pope: Pope Benedict XVI. We'll take a quick break. More reaction. We'll go back to St. Peter's Square, our Alessio Vinci standing by.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... here in the city of the angels, along with multitudes of Christians throughout the world, I think...

BLITZER: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Angelus, in Los Angeles, a mass under way right now, celebrating Pope Benedict XVI.

Only within a little more than three hours ago, the cardinals decided that the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger would emerge as the next pope.

In Seattle, a mass is under way at St. James Cathedral, Seattle, Washington, as well. People have gathered to celebrate the election of a new pope. This will happen not only across Catholic churches in the United States, but around the world.

Let's go to New York City, where our Deborah Feyerick is outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Deborah, you're continuing to get reaction there.

FEYERICK: Now Wolf, the one thing that we can tell you is here at St. Patrick's Cathedral you've got a lot of people from all over the world, and there is a lot of opinion on the choice of the new pope.

The one thing everybody seems to be surprise at is just how quickly he was actually selected. Just a day and a half. One woman said that perhaps this is a clear indication that John Paul II made his wishes very clear as to who he thought should succeed him. And also they say that the fact there was so much agreement so soon also an indication that perhaps this was a good choice.

But as people here at the cathedral and they're not so sure it is a good choice. One woman we spoke to from Munich, Germany, said she did not think, because of his very conservative views, that this would be a good pope for women or for minorities or for poor people.

One man said that he was very concerned about Cardinal Ratzinger's age. He's just six years younger than Pope John Paul II was when he passed away.

There was one man who seemed very positive about this election and thought that perhaps we should all give him a chance or that the Catholics of the world should give him a chance, I should say, and see what he does, that as long as he's able to unite the world, then in fact it will be a good selection.

We also spoke to a Jewish mom and her daughter. And they said that they were a little bit skeptical, especially because this is a man who was born in Germany, because he had ties to the German army, because he was a member of the Hitler Youth. They were just a little bit more skeptical and they wanted to make sure that he carries on the good work of Pope John Paul II.

So again, not overwhelming support for the new pope. But again, many people really don't know a lot about him, don't know the depth or the scope of his works. And so right now a little bit of criticism, a little bit of skepticism. Some just willing to wait and see -- Wolf.

BLITZER: We are, Deborah, getting this statement in from the president of the America Jewish Committee, Rabbi David Rosen, who says, "Cardinal Ratzinger already has shown a profound commitment to advancing Catholic-Jewish relations, and we look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the church." There's been a long- standing and productive relationship between Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI and the Jewish communities around the world, including in Israel.

Alessio Vinci is joining us once again from St. Peter's Square. We've got a statement in, Alessio, from Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who said, "I certainly express the feelings of all Italians and I am particularly delighted when I present your holiness with the warm and respectful homage of the Italian government."

Having said that, Alessio, I assume there are a lot of Italians who are disappointed that the new pope is not Italian.

VINCI: I wouldn't be too sure about that, Wolf -- Wolf. The people here in Italy knew that John Paul II was, of course, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. And I think that they were not perhaps expecting an Italian pope.

I think that they realized that for the first time in a papal election, the Italians were not running the show. And therefore it was going to be really unlikely for an Italian cardinal to be named pope.

I think there was no real clear candidate that could have mastered the two-third majority and, therefore, it would have been very difficult for the papacy to return to an Italian after John Paul II.

The crowds here in St. Peter's Square have thinned out right now. There are just a few thousand left behind. And among those are two people here. One from Paraguay and one from Peru.

Gabriella, you are from Paraguay, and Raul, you are from...

RAUL PALACIO, PERU: Peru.

VINCI: Peru. First of all, let me start with you, what was your first reaction when you heard that Ratzinger was made cardinal (sic)? Were you disappointed that a Latin American was not made pope? There was a lot of talk of that. GABRIELLE PICK, PARAGUAY: Yes, I know. The rumors were very -- I know. I just heard that maybe there would be a Latin pope, but I think I'm very happy about Ratzinger's being a pope. The thing is about Christianity, it's about faith and not about different countries. So I'm very happy.

VINCI: What do you expect -- you're very excited?

PICK: Yes.

VINCI: What do you expect Cardinal Ratzinger will do for you as a pope?

PICK: I hope he will follow a strong -- the path that John Paul left for us to follow, you know. And he will take care of young people like John Paul II did.

VINCI: Raul, were you disappointed that a Latin American did not become pope?

PALACIO: No, we're happy because the pope is not for one country. It's for all the world and that is good for everybody. And he continues the way left from John Paul.

VINCI: Did you travel all the way from Peru for this day here? Or do you live here? What is your story? Why are you here?

PALACIO: I am living here for 10 years. I have my family. He's my son. And we follow John Paul when we were here, and now we are happy to continue with the Catholic that we are.

VINCI: You're here with your son. What do you think this new pope should do for young people?

PALACIO: He must do like John Paul. He must continue to work with the young people because the young people is the door for the future.

VINCI: Gabriella, do you feel that this is the right pope at the right time for the Catholic Church facing so many problems, of course?

PICK: Well, I cannot tell the future. I hope it is. And I hope actually he would follow John Paul II, because I think he has been a great leader and a great spiritual leader for me, I can say that. I can only say that.

VINCI: OK, you said you would like this pope to do many things for the young people. Cardinal Ratzinger and now Pope Benedict XVI is known for his conservative views in terms of contraceptives, in terms of gay marriages, in terms of sexuality, the notion of the family.

Do you think that this is going to make it difficult for him to connect with the younger people, the younger generation, perhaps among those who were expecting a more liberal pope, a more moderate pope?

PICK: I don't know about -- maybe what you say is right. Of course, he is a conservative pope now. But I think that as long as he transmits the love for Christ, it would be OK. It's not about contraceptives or whatever. The church should lead all along, even though he doesn't make these choices, if he demonstrates and makes us feel what John Paul II did, it would be all right.

VINCI: OK, well, thank you very much to both of you. And good luck to you.

And Wolf, before I let you know, here is the -- for those of you who haven't seen it the special edition of "L'Osservatore Romano," which is the official newspaper of the Vatican. A large picture of Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. He's named here. Joseph Ratzinger in Latin with a short article here saying, "We have gone through sadness. We have prayed. We have waited. We have implored the Holy Spirit, and now we have the successor of Peter. We are no longer alone."

This is the official newspaper of the Vatican, "L'Osservatore Romano." And a special edition, which came out literally an hour and 10 minutes after the new pope was elected.

BLITZER: The words -- the words were "Habemus Papam." We heard those words making the official announcement, centuries' old tradition, there is a new pope. Alessio, thanks very much.

We'll take another quick break. We'll get more reaction to Pope Benedict XVI right after this.

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BLITZER: There is a new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany. He's 78 years old. We're continuing to get reaction and analysis.

Joining us now, Father Thomas Reese. He's in Rome. He's a longtime Vatican analyst and observer.

This the first time we've spoken since Pope Benedict XVI was elected, Father Reese. Give us your reaction.

FATHER THOMAS REESE, PUBLISHER, "AMERICA" MAGAZINE: Well, I was surprised. First of all, I was surprised how quickly the cardinals came to choose the new pope.

And secondly, I was surprised by the selection of Cardinal Ratzinger. I did not expect them to elect someone who was 78 years of age. I thought that they would look for someone more in the mid range of 65 to 72. With electing an elderly cardinal, it means that they voted for a transition -- a transitional papacy, someone who is not going to be 25, 26 years like John Paul II, but will be a shorter papacy.

BLITZER: What do you think was going through the minds of these 115, 114 other cardinals, if you will? He was one of -- one of 115. When they made this rather rapid decision? REESE: Well, I think it was very clearly a vote for continuity. Cardinal Ratzinger was the closest adviser to John Paul II on theological issues. They met on a weekly basis if not more frequently. They thought the same way about the issues that face the church. So this is clearly a vote for continuity, not a vote for change in church policy and practice.

BLITZER: I want you to listen, together with our viewers, Father Reese, Kofi Annan, the U.N. secretary-general, spoke out on this selection of this pope only a few minutes ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: I am happy that they have elected a new pope. And I recall being at St. Peter's Square when he officiated the mass for the late pope. And when (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they would assume it would be one them. But I think he's a man of great experience who has worked very closely with the late pope, and I hope would be able to make the same spiritual contribution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: How do you believe, Father Reese, he'll be received around the world, Pope Benedict XVI?

REESE: Well, I think he will see -- be seen as a pope of continuity with John Paul II. People who liked John Paul II, I think, will like Cardinal Ratzinger. People who didn't like Pope John II won't like Cardinal Ratzinger. So you know, I don't see that there be any major change.

The change, of course, is -- is that the two of them have very different personalities. John Paul II, of course, had that background as an actor. He could stride across the stage and capture an audience of 100,000 young people.

Cardinal Ratzinger's experience was as a university professor, a German professor. So it's a very different kind of personality. He's going to be stressing clarity in church doctrine. He's going to be stressing continuity with the teachings of John Paul II.

BLITZER: Father Thomas Reese, thanks very much for your analysis. I want to thank all of our analysts and reporters for this extraordinary coverage of the selection of Pope Benedict XVI. Much more coverage coming up on CNN and CNN International. I'll be back at 5 p.m. Eastern on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS."

For now, thanks very much for watching.

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Aired April 19, 2005 - 14:37   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The Roman Catholic Church, a billion- plus Catholics, now have a new leader. Pope Benedict XVI, he was elected pope about -- almost three hours ago. We're approaching the time we first saw that smoke and as our viewers who are watching then remember, it was unclear -- it clearly is white now, with hindsight, but at the time, since we didn't hear the bells that were supposed to ring simultaneously when there was a new pope, we were uncertain what had happened, but then eventually the bells began to ring.
It took almost ten minutes for official confirmation with the bells. We then knew there was a new pope. And shortly thereafter, the announcement was made and there he is, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, walked out to that balcony at St. Peter's Square and spoke movingly of his selection to become Pope Benedict XVI.

Our analysts John Allen and Delia Gallagher are still with us. John, when you saw that moment, when you finally saw him emerge, you pointed out, as all of us certainly agreed -- it was not a great surprise, but still it was a very, very moving moment. And remind our viewers why it took your breath away, and I know it took Delia Gallagher's breath away, as well.

JOHN ALLEN, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Well, Wolf, for one thing, because as Delia said a moment ago, I mean, it is a clear, strong -- I would say almost clarion (ph) choice by the cardinals to elect one of their own member to become Pope Benedict XVI, who will take an extraordinarily strong stand as pope. Beyond that, what struck me is that this, in a way, is not the Joseph Ratzinger that we are accustomed to seeing from media coverage and treatment on newspapers and so forth, where he's often described as a bruiser and a bully. This was a beaming, smiling, upbeat man, who was greeting his flock for the first time, and in that sense, sort belying his public image.

One other point I would make, though, Wolf, is that this is a pope would begins, in a sense, with a bit of baggage. He is not someone who is unknown, at least within the Catholic world, quite the contrary. He is that unusual Vatican figure who has been a celebrity. His 1986 interview with Vittore Mosorio (ph), called "The Ratzinger Report," became a runaway bestseller by the standards of Catholic publishing.

And while his election will be cheered by many Catholics around the world, there also will be a liberal wing of the Catholic Church that will be quite demoralized tonight, feeling that, in a sense, a man hostile to some of their visions for church reform has been elected. And it will be interesting to see what Pope Benedict XVI does over the next days and week to reassure them that there is space in the church for them, as well.

And I might just note -- and amid all this speculation about why the name Benedict XIV, I mean, let me put one other card on the table, which is that one of things Benedict the XV did when he elected in the early 20th century is he ended something known as the anti-modernist crackdown. It had been a period of really ferocious conservatism, crackdown on liberal thought in the Catholic Church. It's interesting, whether it was in Pope Benedict XVI's mind or not. The symbolism is interesting, that he would choose to pick up the mantle of another pope who ended a ferociously conservative period, and led a pontificate of outreach and healing.

BLITZER: Delia Gallagher, I suspect there will be some disappointment in Latin America, outside of Europe in general, with the selection of another European -- especially in Latin America where there are so many Catholics, and where there have been indications in recent years that evangelical Protestants are making inroads among traditional Catholics. There have been lot speculation that perhaps this was the moment to move beyond Italy, and perhaps even Europe, but that certainly has not happened.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I think clearly there's going to be disappointment in lots of different country, because, one thing we realized here in Rome, was many people were rooting for their national cardinal and hoping that this would sort of usher in an era of a Latin American or an African pope. Indeed, we've talked about it a lot in the press.

On the other hand, I think there is, as we've said, this great respect and admiration for Pope Ratzinger. Indeed, he has many very good relations with some of the Latin Americans. Of course, there is also the issue of liberation theology, and the more liberal Latin American bishops, let us say, priests, as John mentioned, will probably not be happy about this choice and be concerned about the future and that's why it will be interesting to see now, in these next few months, how he is going to handle that, because as pope, of course, he's got a very different role than he had at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He has to bring in a lot of these people.

What we've seen at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith is a man who has been very firm and has been very committed to the Catholic doctrine but has not yet had to play that role of bringing them in because he had Pope John Paul II to do that. So, now, I think what we're going to watch is a Cardinal Ratzinger who becomes Pope Ratzinger. That's what happens. The cardinal isn't -- the pope isn't a pope until he's had a bit time to be one. It will be interesting to see in the next year exactly what changes come about in the person of Cardinal Ratzinger.

BLITZER: And he's -- I assume he speaks Spanish and Portuguese, but correct me if I'm wrong, John or Delia. I assume he speaks both of those languages?

ALLEN: He does, he speaks both of those languages quite well. I think, as Delia said, he is certainly a known quantity in the Latin American church. And I think, you know, obviously there was some rooting going on for a cardinal from Brazil or Honduras or from Africa or from Asia.

What will be interesting to see is whether Pope Benedict XVI further -- furthers the internationalization of the leadership of the Catholic Church, both in terms of the college of cardinals and also the men he appoint to senior leadership positions here in the Vatican. Obviously, there's one big vacancy right away which is, we don't have a prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is, after all -- it used to be called "la suprema," the supreme office in the Vatican, certainly one of the two most important organs of the Vatican. Very interesting to see who he would pick as his successor in that role.

It will be interesting to see the extent of which he brings Latin Americans, Africans and Asians, both into his appointments as cardinals, in his appointments as senior Vatican officials, and to his appointment as bishops. Because the truth is that electing' pope is not the only way for the global south and the Catholic Church to have a voice. It will be interesting to see if the Pope Benedict XVI wants to give them that voice by the kind of appointments, especially early on, he makes.

BLITZER: I'm going to have both of you, Delia and John, stand by.

Our Deborah Feyerick is outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, getting some reaction from American Catholics, specifically New Yorkers. What are they saying to you, Deb?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Wolf, surprisingly, the reaction here at St. Patrick's Cathedral has really been very, very mixed. We spoke to about six people; only one thought this choice was actually a good one. Just so give you sort of a small sampling, an actress from New Jersey said she did not think Cardinal Ratzinger would do anything to win back American Catholics.

We spoke to a man from France and he said, that, whereas the death of Pope John Paul II had united Catholics around the world, he really thought that this was a choice that would again divide them. He said this because of the cardinal's very conservative views and also because of his history, his ties to the German army and also the Hitler Youth. This was something that was raised by a Jewish mom and daughter who I spoke to. They're from New York, and they said that they really didn't think that the cardinal would be able to do as much or have the same kind of impact as the earlier pope did. They were very, very skeptical about him as a choice.

There was only one man, one man from Florida, who was willing to give Pope Benedict the benefit of the doubt. He said that, as long as he can unite Catholics everywhere, then he thinks this will be a good choice. He said he was will to give him a chance. The only thing everybody could agree on, Wolf, was the fact he was chosen so quickly, and they all believe that, in fact, he had very much the blessing and the backing of Pope John Paul II. Wolf? BLITZER: All right. We'll stand by for more reaction. Our Deborah Feyerick, outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. We're going to take another quick break. Much more reaction to the election of a new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Pope Benedict XVI, the 265th pontiff, elected only within the past three hours or so. We're getting reaction from around the world. Our Thelma Gutierrez is in Los Angeles, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angeles Church in Los Angeles. Give us some reaction. What are some people saying there, Thelma?

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the people that we have talked to said they are cautiously optimistic at this point. They are happy a new pope has been elected. At the same time, they're cautiously optimistic, they say, because this is a conservative pope. They're concerned about his stand on women in the church, his stand on gays. This something that has been interesting as we've been talking to people who have trickled in. Again, they say they're very happy. They with hoping, though, perhaps it may have been a more liberal pope.

I can tell you that the flag is flying here at the cathedral. You can see it behind me. There is gold bunting hanging above the cathedral doors in celebration of the pope. In just a few minutes, Wolf, there will be a special mass here called "the Mass on the Election of the Pope," which is scheduled within the next few minutes, here, at the cathedral, to celebrate Pope Benedict XVI. Already there are about a hundred people inside the cathedral, many more coming in right now.

Los Angeles is the largest diocese in the United States. It represents five million Catholics, 70 percent of whom are Latino. Many people coming in from downtown on their lunch break, coming in to celebrate the new pope. And as word spread, we were finding out that different priests have come out here, members of the church. Of course, the Cardinal Mahony is in Rome right now. They're expecting him to come back just as soon as the installment is completed -- Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: All right. Thelma Gutierrez in Los Angeles, getting reaction to the selection of a new pope, Pope Benedict XVI.

Our Alessio Vinci is on the ground in St. Peter's Square. He's getting reaction from the pilgrims, the tourists, the others, who still there in big numbers.

Alessio, before we get to that, there's word on the wire services, they're quoting the German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (ph) as saying that he's looking forward to seeing Pope Benedict XVI in August in Cologne at the World Youth Day. Is there official, as far as you know, announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will, in fact, make that trip, will attend the World Youth Day and Youth Day events in Cologne, Germany, at the end of the summer? ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, there is no official statement coming out of the Vatican regarding this World Youth Day and whether or not Pope Benedict XVI will attend. However, I must tell you, I would be very surprised if Joseph Ratzinger, Cardinal Ratzinger, now pope, would not be in Cologne, Germany. I think this significance of this meeting, not only an opportunity to talk to the young people, but also the fact that the meeting is taking place in Germany, in the native country of Joseph Ratzinger. So I would -- if I had to put one -- my last dollar -- bet my last dollar on it, I would imagine Pope Benedict XVI will be going to Germany. But, of course, we do not have it officially from the Vatican, at least not for now.

What we do is from the Vatican is the official newspaper -- the Osservatore Romano, which only an hour and ten minutes after the official election of the pope came out with an extraordinary addition. "Habemus papam," of course, we have a pope. Josephum Ratzinger, that's the Latin name for Joseph Ratzinger. Quisibi nomen imposuit (ph), who is known as, who imposes his name as Benedict XVI. And then here, a brief article about how, for the past few weeks, they went through sadness -- "We have prayed, we have waited, we have implored the holy spirit, and now God has given him, given us the successor of Peter. We are no longer alone. Peter is with us, the successor of peter is with us."

This is the official newspaper of the Vatican, the "Osservatore Romano" with, as you pointed out earlier, Wolf, the money shot. Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, appearing on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, on the main logia (ph), right here behind us, over the basilica, just a few hours ago, when, in front of a crowd of tens of thousands of people who were gathered here, waiting for this very special moment, the name of Joseph Ratzinger was pronounced by Cardinal Medina, to announce to the world, indeed, that Joseph Ratzinger had been named the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Now here in the square, there were people from all walks of life, from around the world. I've seen flags from all around the world. One gentleman here earlier today with a flag from South Sudan. So that tells you a little about the reach of Pope John Paul II.

And among the people here in St. Peter's Square today is Wilson. You are from Cameroon. However, you live here in Rome. You're a businessman. First of all, tell me about your reaction when you heard that Cardinal Ratzinger was made pope.

WILSON FOKAM, CAMEROON: First of all, as you know, that is a problem of faith. It's not a politic or economic or social problem. And spiritually, when we heard that this was Joseph Ratzinger, I was not really happy.

VINCI: Why not?

FOKAM: But -- but, but, few minutes after, I say "Why not?" It's not a problem of men, the problem of our religion. We, young Catholics, we expect a pope coming from America or from Africa... VINCI: Well, there was a lot of talk about perhaps Cardinal Arinze, from Nigeria, to be named pope. Are you disappointed that an African...

FOKAM: Francis Arinze.

VINCI: Are you disappointed that he was not named pope?

FOKAM: No, no, because it's not a problem of man. The problem of our religion is not problem of man, and we have to pray to have a pope who can do the job we need.

VINCI: So tell me what are the problems that the new pope Benedict XVI will have to face?

FOKAM: We have many problems about pedophilia. We have problem about homosexuality, our presence of vocation...

VINCI: Lack of priests around the world. Do you think that Joseph Ratzinger is the right man to tackle these problems? Do you feel that he is the right person? Do you think he will represent...

FOKAM: It's all right, and the best one.

VINCI: Why? Tell me why. Why do you feel that way?

FOKAM: He's 78 and his work with the late pope many, many years ago. So we think that we have to pray, we have to pray. And just wait, we will see.

VINCI: OK. What would you like him to do first? What is the first problem you would like for him to say this is the thing that needs to be changed right now in the church? Briefly.

FOKAM: We don't have to fear. We're young. So we don't have to fear. We have to come back home and read our bible. We have come back home and pray, kneel down and pray.

VINCI: Thank you, Wilson, thank you very much. Thank you very much for being with us. And Wolf, let me show you one more -- one last time here, the newspaper of "Osservatore Romano." This is the extraordinary edition here, "habemus papam," Joseph Ratzinger named the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Back to you.

BLITZER: Alessio Vinci. Thanks very much, Alessio. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, much more coverage, reaction, coming in from around the world. Pope Benedict XVI, the new pope. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to our continuing coverage. Pope Benedict XVI is the new pope. Some three hours ago, we began to see the smoke emerge from that chimney. There it was. It was a little unclear at the beginning whether it was white, gray, black. Initial reports suggested it was black because there were no bells that were ringing out, which was supposed to happen simultaneously if, in fact, a new pope had been elected. It took almost ten minutes, but eventually, the bells began to ring out. Let's listen to those bells.

(MUSIC)

BLITZER: And that was the sound, the signal, yes, the confirmation that there was a new pope, the 265th pope. The former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

The official announcement came from Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez. He walked out to that balcony. There, you see him, in middle. And he read out the announcement that, yes, there is a new pope. And has name is Joseph Ratzinger. His new name Pope Benedict XVI.

Within a few minutes, there he emerged, smiling broadly, waving to the thousands who had rushed to St. Peter's Square, to share in this moment of history. It was full. Only, only a little while earlier, it was pretty empty.

It came at such a surprise to so many observers. Twenty-four hours after the conclave convened at the Vatican, they emerged with a consensus. Two-thirds at least of those 115 cardinals going quickly in favor of Joseph Ratzinger.

Let's bring in our analysts, who have been watching this, helping us better understand what's going on. Delia Gallagher is still with us. John Allen is still with us, as well.

Delia, I'll begin with you. Walk with the process now. We understand he was dining with other cardinals tonight, that according to the Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls. What about the next few days, leading up to the inauguration mass on Sunday?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think, Wolf, what we can expect in the next few days is relative calm in the sense that we will have Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, having to make quite a lot of decisions privately but probably not making those decisions public for some time.

He has a whole house to put in order, as it were. And has to either renominate those cardinals who were in positions under John Paul II or fill those roles, if he wishes to change those positions. There is obviously a lot of internal housekeeping for him to take care of, as well.

What we will see, of course, on Sunday is the inaugural mass, the real beginning of this pontificate. And get some very good clues from his homily on Sunday as to where he wishes to take the church.

BLITZER: What's your sense, John? You know a lot about this, the process, the immediate priorities for Pope Benedict XVI in these coming days.

ALLEN: Well, Wolf, I think Delia's quite right, that aside from the ceremonial obligations that the pope will face. And let's bear in mind that this is a Tuesday evening here in Rome. It is theoretically possible, I suppose. The pope could choose to hold his regular Wednesday audience tomorrow, but I think that's probably quite unlikely. Probably will be the first time we will see him play a kind of ceremonial role in the public stage will be Sunday at the mass.

But -- but there's a lot of internal sort of getting his ducks in a row, so to speak, that has to happen. And this is a man who, having spent 24 years at the pinnacle of power in the Roman curio (ph), certainly is going to be sensitive to making sure that the machinery of church governance continues to function smoothly.

So I suspect that nominations to senior posts confirming people in their posts will happen, if historical patterns hold. Then, in relatively short order, Pope Benedict XVI will begin naming his own men to those posts.

And if I might, let me just suggest a couple of men in various parts of the world to keep your eye on. Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn in Vienna, Austria. Like Father Thessia (ph), with whom you spoke earlier, Wolf, studied under then Cardinal Ratzinger at Regensburg (ph) in the 1970s. When Ratzinger wanted someone to edit the new general catechism of the Catholic Church he -- he turned to Schoenborn. One wouldn't be surprised to see Cardinal Schoenborn play an important role in Pope Benedict's papacy.

Another man I mentioned earlier, Archbishop William Levada of San Francisco who worked with Ratzinger in the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in the early '80s might well be taped to play some kind of role.

And it would be no surprise to see the cardinal of Genoa, Tarcisio Bertone, who was Ratzinger's secretary at the Congregation for the Faith, perhaps be turned to at least informally, if not formally to work in the Vatican.

One other name to watch in all of this, Wolf, will be the fate of Cardinal Walter Casper, a fellow German who currently runs the Vatican's Office for Ecumenism. He and Ratzinger have very publicly crossed swords over the years over issues like collegiality, of which comes first, the universal church or the local church.

And it would it be a fascinating move for Pope Benedict's papacy if he were to give perhaps an even more prominent role to Cardinal Ratzinger -- excuse me, to Cardinal Casper. It would be a very clear way of reassuring the church's liberal wing, so to speak, that there's going to be room for them, too, in this pontificate.

BLITZER: Do you expect, Delia, this pope to do a lot of traveling? Has that been his style as cardinal, that he goes out there, he spends a lot of time outside of the Vatican?

GALLAGHER: Well, no, it hasn't been because of his role mainly at Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It's very much in that home role. He has an office job, as it were.

Of course, he has traveled with Pope John Paul II on many of his papal trips. And you were speaking earlier about the World Youth Day in Cologne. I have no doubt that Pope Benedict XVI will be at that event, because it's one which was started by Pope John Paul II. And I think a very good platform for Pope Ratzinger to begin to draw in that great momentum that John Paul II started with the youth in particular.

BLITZER: Let me read a little reaction that we're getting in from leaders from around the world. And then we'll get your reaction to what we're hearing.

The German chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, clearly very proud that a fellow German has become pope, the first German in about a thousand years to be pope. That the new pope, Benedict XVI, comes from Germany, Schroeder said, "That is a great honor for our whole country."

We're also getting this reaction from Kofi Annan, the U.N. secretary-general. "His holiness brings a wealth of experience to this exalted office. The United Nations and the Holy See share a strong commitment to peace, social justice, human dignity, religious freedom and mutual respect among the world's religions."

John, on the issue of some of these political or social issues, humanitarian issues that affect the Vatican and infect people all around the world, what kind of track record does Pope Benedict XVI have?

ALLEN: Well, Wolf, again I think to some extent his track record is encumbered by the nature of the job he's held. It's not been a position that has asked him to speak much on those kind of social questions you just answered.

And actually, it's perhaps even a bit more clouded than that, because in the 1980s, and Delia alluded to this earlier, there was a strong push in Latin American Catholicism for something known as liberation theology. And essentially the idea of that was to align Roman Catholicism with progressive movements for social change, to place it on the side of the poor, especially in the political struggles against the military dictatorships.

Ratzinger cracked down rather harshly on that movement, it has to be said. He saw it as a kind of Marxism in another guise and an excessive politicization, so to speak, of the church. And for that reason, I think some of the church's social justice activists will perhaps have some trepidation tonight about exactly where Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate will head.

Once again I think it will be very important in the early days what signals he sends by the kind of people he appoints, to run, for example, the Council for Justice and Peace, and the content of those early messages. For example, the homily we are hearing now, he may celebrate some kind of service tomorrow morning. What he has to say, what he says during the inauguration mass on Sunday in terms of where he might want to take this pontificate.

I think lots of different constituencies in the church and in the broader world, obviously, will be hanging on those words for some indication of where he intends to go.

BLITZER: All right, John Allen, Delia Gallagher, they're going to be standing with us because we're going to continue our special coverage, the election of a new pope: Pope Benedict XVI. We'll take a quick break. More reaction. We'll go back to St. Peter's Square, our Alessio Vinci standing by.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... here in the city of the angels, along with multitudes of Christians throughout the world, I think...

BLITZER: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Angelus, in Los Angeles, a mass under way right now, celebrating Pope Benedict XVI.

Only within a little more than three hours ago, the cardinals decided that the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger would emerge as the next pope.

In Seattle, a mass is under way at St. James Cathedral, Seattle, Washington, as well. People have gathered to celebrate the election of a new pope. This will happen not only across Catholic churches in the United States, but around the world.

Let's go to New York City, where our Deborah Feyerick is outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Deborah, you're continuing to get reaction there.

FEYERICK: Now Wolf, the one thing that we can tell you is here at St. Patrick's Cathedral you've got a lot of people from all over the world, and there is a lot of opinion on the choice of the new pope.

The one thing everybody seems to be surprise at is just how quickly he was actually selected. Just a day and a half. One woman said that perhaps this is a clear indication that John Paul II made his wishes very clear as to who he thought should succeed him. And also they say that the fact there was so much agreement so soon also an indication that perhaps this was a good choice.

But as people here at the cathedral and they're not so sure it is a good choice. One woman we spoke to from Munich, Germany, said she did not think, because of his very conservative views, that this would be a good pope for women or for minorities or for poor people.

One man said that he was very concerned about Cardinal Ratzinger's age. He's just six years younger than Pope John Paul II was when he passed away.

There was one man who seemed very positive about this election and thought that perhaps we should all give him a chance or that the Catholics of the world should give him a chance, I should say, and see what he does, that as long as he's able to unite the world, then in fact it will be a good selection.

We also spoke to a Jewish mom and her daughter. And they said that they were a little bit skeptical, especially because this is a man who was born in Germany, because he had ties to the German army, because he was a member of the Hitler Youth. They were just a little bit more skeptical and they wanted to make sure that he carries on the good work of Pope John Paul II.

So again, not overwhelming support for the new pope. But again, many people really don't know a lot about him, don't know the depth or the scope of his works. And so right now a little bit of criticism, a little bit of skepticism. Some just willing to wait and see -- Wolf.

BLITZER: We are, Deborah, getting this statement in from the president of the America Jewish Committee, Rabbi David Rosen, who says, "Cardinal Ratzinger already has shown a profound commitment to advancing Catholic-Jewish relations, and we look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the church." There's been a long- standing and productive relationship between Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI and the Jewish communities around the world, including in Israel.

Alessio Vinci is joining us once again from St. Peter's Square. We've got a statement in, Alessio, from Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who said, "I certainly express the feelings of all Italians and I am particularly delighted when I present your holiness with the warm and respectful homage of the Italian government."

Having said that, Alessio, I assume there are a lot of Italians who are disappointed that the new pope is not Italian.

VINCI: I wouldn't be too sure about that, Wolf -- Wolf. The people here in Italy knew that John Paul II was, of course, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. And I think that they were not perhaps expecting an Italian pope.

I think that they realized that for the first time in a papal election, the Italians were not running the show. And therefore it was going to be really unlikely for an Italian cardinal to be named pope.

I think there was no real clear candidate that could have mastered the two-third majority and, therefore, it would have been very difficult for the papacy to return to an Italian after John Paul II.

The crowds here in St. Peter's Square have thinned out right now. There are just a few thousand left behind. And among those are two people here. One from Paraguay and one from Peru.

Gabriella, you are from Paraguay, and Raul, you are from...

RAUL PALACIO, PERU: Peru.

VINCI: Peru. First of all, let me start with you, what was your first reaction when you heard that Ratzinger was made cardinal (sic)? Were you disappointed that a Latin American was not made pope? There was a lot of talk of that. GABRIELLE PICK, PARAGUAY: Yes, I know. The rumors were very -- I know. I just heard that maybe there would be a Latin pope, but I think I'm very happy about Ratzinger's being a pope. The thing is about Christianity, it's about faith and not about different countries. So I'm very happy.

VINCI: What do you expect -- you're very excited?

PICK: Yes.

VINCI: What do you expect Cardinal Ratzinger will do for you as a pope?

PICK: I hope he will follow a strong -- the path that John Paul left for us to follow, you know. And he will take care of young people like John Paul II did.

VINCI: Raul, were you disappointed that a Latin American did not become pope?

PALACIO: No, we're happy because the pope is not for one country. It's for all the world and that is good for everybody. And he continues the way left from John Paul.

VINCI: Did you travel all the way from Peru for this day here? Or do you live here? What is your story? Why are you here?

PALACIO: I am living here for 10 years. I have my family. He's my son. And we follow John Paul when we were here, and now we are happy to continue with the Catholic that we are.

VINCI: You're here with your son. What do you think this new pope should do for young people?

PALACIO: He must do like John Paul. He must continue to work with the young people because the young people is the door for the future.

VINCI: Gabriella, do you feel that this is the right pope at the right time for the Catholic Church facing so many problems, of course?

PICK: Well, I cannot tell the future. I hope it is. And I hope actually he would follow John Paul II, because I think he has been a great leader and a great spiritual leader for me, I can say that. I can only say that.

VINCI: OK, you said you would like this pope to do many things for the young people. Cardinal Ratzinger and now Pope Benedict XVI is known for his conservative views in terms of contraceptives, in terms of gay marriages, in terms of sexuality, the notion of the family.

Do you think that this is going to make it difficult for him to connect with the younger people, the younger generation, perhaps among those who were expecting a more liberal pope, a more moderate pope?

PICK: I don't know about -- maybe what you say is right. Of course, he is a conservative pope now. But I think that as long as he transmits the love for Christ, it would be OK. It's not about contraceptives or whatever. The church should lead all along, even though he doesn't make these choices, if he demonstrates and makes us feel what John Paul II did, it would be all right.

VINCI: OK, well, thank you very much to both of you. And good luck to you.

And Wolf, before I let you know, here is the -- for those of you who haven't seen it the special edition of "L'Osservatore Romano," which is the official newspaper of the Vatican. A large picture of Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. He's named here. Joseph Ratzinger in Latin with a short article here saying, "We have gone through sadness. We have prayed. We have waited. We have implored the Holy Spirit, and now we have the successor of Peter. We are no longer alone."

This is the official newspaper of the Vatican, "L'Osservatore Romano." And a special edition, which came out literally an hour and 10 minutes after the new pope was elected.

BLITZER: The words -- the words were "Habemus Papam." We heard those words making the official announcement, centuries' old tradition, there is a new pope. Alessio, thanks very much.

We'll take another quick break. We'll get more reaction to Pope Benedict XVI right after this.

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BLITZER: There is a new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany. He's 78 years old. We're continuing to get reaction and analysis.

Joining us now, Father Thomas Reese. He's in Rome. He's a longtime Vatican analyst and observer.

This the first time we've spoken since Pope Benedict XVI was elected, Father Reese. Give us your reaction.

FATHER THOMAS REESE, PUBLISHER, "AMERICA" MAGAZINE: Well, I was surprised. First of all, I was surprised how quickly the cardinals came to choose the new pope.

And secondly, I was surprised by the selection of Cardinal Ratzinger. I did not expect them to elect someone who was 78 years of age. I thought that they would look for someone more in the mid range of 65 to 72. With electing an elderly cardinal, it means that they voted for a transition -- a transitional papacy, someone who is not going to be 25, 26 years like John Paul II, but will be a shorter papacy.

BLITZER: What do you think was going through the minds of these 115, 114 other cardinals, if you will? He was one of -- one of 115. When they made this rather rapid decision? REESE: Well, I think it was very clearly a vote for continuity. Cardinal Ratzinger was the closest adviser to John Paul II on theological issues. They met on a weekly basis if not more frequently. They thought the same way about the issues that face the church. So this is clearly a vote for continuity, not a vote for change in church policy and practice.

BLITZER: I want you to listen, together with our viewers, Father Reese, Kofi Annan, the U.N. secretary-general, spoke out on this selection of this pope only a few minutes ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: I am happy that they have elected a new pope. And I recall being at St. Peter's Square when he officiated the mass for the late pope. And when (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they would assume it would be one them. But I think he's a man of great experience who has worked very closely with the late pope, and I hope would be able to make the same spiritual contribution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: How do you believe, Father Reese, he'll be received around the world, Pope Benedict XVI?

REESE: Well, I think he will see -- be seen as a pope of continuity with John Paul II. People who liked John Paul II, I think, will like Cardinal Ratzinger. People who didn't like Pope John II won't like Cardinal Ratzinger. So you know, I don't see that there be any major change.

The change, of course, is -- is that the two of them have very different personalities. John Paul II, of course, had that background as an actor. He could stride across the stage and capture an audience of 100,000 young people.

Cardinal Ratzinger's experience was as a university professor, a German professor. So it's a very different kind of personality. He's going to be stressing clarity in church doctrine. He's going to be stressing continuity with the teachings of John Paul II.

BLITZER: Father Thomas Reese, thanks very much for your analysis. I want to thank all of our analysts and reporters for this extraordinary coverage of the selection of Pope Benedict XVI. Much more coverage coming up on CNN and CNN International. I'll be back at 5 p.m. Eastern on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS."

For now, thanks very much for watching.

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