VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a hard-line
guardian of conservative doctrine, was elected the new pope Tuesday
evening in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the
name Pope Benedict XVI and called himself "a simple, humble worker."
An Inauguration Mass for the new pope was set for Sunday at 10 a.m.

Ratzinger, the first German pope since the 11th century, emerged
onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he waved to a wildly
cheering crowd of tens of thousands and gave his first blessing as
the church's 265th pope. Other cardinals clad in their crimson robes
came out on other balconies to watch him.

"Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the
cardinals have elected me — a simple, humble worker in the vineyard
of the Lord," he said. "I entrust myself to your prayers," the pope
said.

"The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient
means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers,"
the new pope said in his first public address. "I entrust myself to
your prayers."

The crowd responded by chanting "Benedict! Benedict!"

This is indeed a happy monent The world to celebrate!