The Pope Is Dead, Long Live the Pope

Breaking News: the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church have elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the highest position in the Church. He is now Holy Father Benedict XVI.

AP reports that the vote was taken just before six in the evening, Eurotime, and announced shortly thereafter. He was elected on the fourth ballot.

Pope Benedict XVI is unlikely to serve as long as John Paul II - he is currently 78 years old. He was previously the "Dogma Tsar", serving as John Paul's party whip, to use an American analogy. How he will fare as the face of the church remains to be seen. Liberal, post-biblical Catholics will be displeased: the cardinals are sending a loud and clear message that they have no intention of following the world. On the other hand, the less-than-friendly persona Ratzinger is known for may be tough to shake as pontiff.

For now, however, the world's Catholics (and indeed all of us) can be pleased that the conclave ended quickly and without incident. Long live the Pope!