Finally, habemus papam...we have a pope. A pope who is expected to lead 1.1 billion-strong Catholics all over the world. I didn't get to see the actual announcement in the central balcony of the Vatican nor have I seen the mysterious white smoke bellowed in that bronze chimney atop the Sistine chapel. I was outside our room reuniting with the Balara boys and drinking to our hearts desire...supposedly celebrating for the conclave, according to Chuck. It was only when a neighbor shouted "Naa na ta'y Pope! Si Ratzinger!" when we realized that we have to stop drinking...tapos na conclave eh. hehehe.
I have heard a few stories about Cardinal Ratzinger while he was in charge of the Congregation of Church Doctrine (or something like that). My theology professor once said that he silenced a lot of liberation theologians who tried to connect elements of Communism with the traditional scriptures. He is, in other words, very conservative. But I'd like to believe that the reason he is that conservative was that he was just doing his job in disciplining the faithful. I hope that as Pope Benedict XVI, he will be able to unite all the peoples of the world and be a real Father to all.
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BTW, thanks to www.abs-cbnnews.com for the pic. :-)
