Habemus Papam!

I was washing the floor when my cellphone rang. I was downstairs and it was upstairs. I had just turned off the TV because I was cleaning in the other room. I didn't get to the cellphone in time to catch the call, but I got the message. A dear friend had called to announce the famous words: "Habemus Papam!" I quickly turned on the TV; it was about a quarter after 12.

I was watching network news, and their commentary was wretched. So I accessed EWTN live through their website on the computer. I was standing in the stairwell between the TV with live picture, and the computer with live sound, and I thought- "this is ridiculous"--

So I ran over to my neighbor's house to watch EWTN on her TV, and got there just in time to see them come to the loggia and repeat the words that have been repeated for centuries. When they said "Josephum" I looked at my neighbor and said, "Ratzinger!"

Pope Benedict XVI. I did NOT see that one coming!!! Benedict XV is probably the least recognized pope of the last century. His noted achievements are few, if any. He's often glossed over. He wasn't really given much attention on the eve of the first world war, and accorded less attention in the history books afterwards. He was primarily a quiet, erudite man. What's Ratzinger telling us?

My neighbor was careful to remind me that most people expected very little of John XXIII, so we should accord Benedict XVI the chance to prove us all wrong, but I'm anticipating a relatively germaine, transitional papacy. I can't wait to see what will happen though.

My heart was palpitating wildly! What an event!!! Our new Holy Father. He will be a scandal to so many Americans, and what a blessed thing that will be! Ratzinger's vision of the New Springtime, the mustard seed communities, will come to pass-- IS coming to pass. He will draw us further into a life with the Christ of Scripture, the Christ of Doctrine.

Basically, the Church will go on as it ever has. This will simply be the 265th papacy. You should all check out what the Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club has to say about this one :)