Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany (Pope Benedict XVI) has been selected by the Roman Catholic church as the new pope.
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/19/pope.tuesday/index.html
"There has been a great deal of speculation about who may be chosen to succeed John Paul II, who died April 2 at the age of 84, but cardinals have been mum.
Some taking part in the conclave said they are looking for a leader who presents a hopeful vision, who can "generate some dynamism and some optimism within Catholicism," CNN Vatican analyst John Allen said.
The first clues to the process of finding a successor were sought during the homily or sermon delivered by Ratzinger at Monday's public Mass.
"Having a clear faith, based on the creed of the church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism," Ratzinger said.
Allen said Ratzinger delivered a "very blunt" message for the church to "stay true to itself."
That was a strong indication that Ratzinger, 78, wants a "traditionalist" elected the next pope, Allen said.
John Paul was widely credited with extending the reach of the papacy. He spoke more than a dozen languages and set an unprecedented pattern of pastoral travel, drawing huge crowds all over the world.
He was also strictly traditional on issues of sexuality and the role of women in the church, which won him support among some Catholics but alienated others. Similar disagreement exists over the next pontiff's stances on issues such as birth control, stem cell research and the ordination of female priests."