On Oct. 16, 1978, the College of Cardinals selected a young, relatively unknown, Polish priest to lead the Roman Catholic Church. The decision to elevate Karol Wojtyla to the papacy came as a surprise to many, and the pontiff spent some time developing a relationship with the church’s faithful.
John Paul II’s successor is a somewhat different story. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday, is well known to the world’s Catholics. His appointment, however, came as a surprise to some and many agree that Benedict has a lot to prove.
His reputation, for one thing, precedes him. The new pope is considered to be a theological conservative who will follow a strict interpretation of Catholic doctrine. His appointment all but eliminated the hopes of progressive Catholics, who were looking for the 265th pope to reconsider the church’s opinion on a variety of issues, including human sexuality, the ordination of women, and clerical celibacy.
The big shoes that John Paul II left Benedict XVI to fill are also a hindrance. As pope, Wojtyla traveled more than all other popes combined, visiting more than 100 countries during his 26 years in the Vatican. He was warm and congenial, enjoyed the enthusiasm of Catholic youths, reached out to world leaders, and bridged divides among different religions. His pastoral mannerisms made him hugely popular, especially in parts of the globe where the church is still developing.
A number of theologians believe Benedict XVI, 78, to be a transitional pope; that is, he’ll have a short pontificate and will give cardinals the opportunity to evaluate the future path of Catholicism. A close advisor to John Paul II, Ratzinger is expected to bring continuity to the Vatican through abiding by many of the late pontiff’s policies and teachings.
But no one is forcing his hand. The new pope should revive the spiritual and moral values of the church by giving its 1 billion followers a role in the governance of their faith. He should travel and preach the message of Catholicism in all parts of the world.
Ultimately, he should look to bring Catholics together. Church doctrine is fundamental; it rarely—if ever—changes. But it is, however, built upon. Pope Benedict XVI can help Catholics find common ground by exploring church teaching and giving them a better understanding of their faith.
Getting a new pope is like freshman year at college; you’re unsure of what to expect. Judging Ratzinger’s papacy now would be premature. People should remain optimistic and rid themselves of the preconceived notions they have about the pontiff. Like his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI should be given the time to show Catholics, and the world, the impact he can have on his faith.
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