The Election of Pope Benedict XVI
April 19, 2005
John Michael Talbot

Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Good In Christ!

WE HAVE A POPE!

After the stunning events of the last weeks of the sickness and passing of John Paul II, we have a new Pope, Benedict XVI, the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.

Cardinal Ratzinger had the reputation of being a sometimes tough conserver of the orthodox teaching of the Roman Catholic Church regarding faith and morality, and was even villanized by some. I have found a different man in his writings. Yes, he is conservative, but to his detractors, I would add that he is also most intellectually brilliant. He knows 10 languages, is an accomplished church historian and theologian, and even plays classical piano very well. I also found his writing very mystical. It is the latter that has impressed me in his writings, such as a treatment of St. Bonaventure (the great Franciscan "Seraphic Doctor" from the 13-14th centuries). Personally, I never met him, but from the rare more personal TV presentations of him show a most humble and soft spoken individual. It was for this that he is most well known among those who worked with him in the Vatican.

I could not help but notice the dignified, but beaming smile on his face as he walked out on the balcony at St. Peter's upon his first blessing of the crowds after his election. His words were genuinely humble and self effacing. All who know him have said that this is not a false affect, but a genuine personal spiritual characteristic of this man. (They say that he begged John Paul II to let him resign at his 75th birthday.)

We are still traveling back from Ireland, and it was there that I heard that the Irish thought that their great St. Malachy prophesied that this next pope would have some Benedictine characteristics. It is not without significance, and to my personal gratification as a lover of monasticism, that he has taken the name Benedict XVI. I hope that the moderate and even charism of Benedictine monasticism will imbue him as Pope. By the way: The Abbot Primate of the Benedictine family, Notker Wolf, OSB is also German.

Perhaps the most interesting point for me is that the cardinals elected a 78 year old pope. There is no doubt that this is in contrast to the vibrant and youthful John Paul II at his election. It is unlikely that we will see a 27 year pontificate as we did with John Paul II. This is not unusual in the history of the papacy, and might be the will of God for us at this time. Nonetheless, we wish him a long and prosperous papacy and blessed by the Holy Spirit.

Personally, I believe that we will probably have a less externally flamboyant papacy with Benedict XVI. This may not be a bad thing. After the charismatic days of John Paul II, we might need to take a collective breath for a few years. Furthermore, this pope will have to forge his own papacy with the help of the Holy Spirit and the example of Jesus. He will no doubt continue the policy and theological direction of John Paul II whom he partnered with so greatly in the last two decades. But he is not bound to continue in the personal style of John Paul II. He must be the pope that God wills him to be.

It is my prayer that we will see more of that personal meekness and gentle joy in Cardinal Ratzinger in his role as Benedict XVI. This is what he beamed in his first papal blessing. There is no doubt that Pope Benedict XVI is the will of God for the Church now. He was elected by the Holy Spirit through the human process of the cardinals. We pray God's richest blessings on him as he takes on this overwhelming role in the Church and the world. We offer him our profound obedience and love, and promise him our daily prayers for him during his papal ministry.

May God bless you in charity, joy, and peace.

In Jesus,
John Michael Talbot
Founder, Spiritual Father, and General Minister,
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

Further Reflections on Pope Benedict XVI