Pope Benedict XVI Pledges Reform in Parallel with Preservation of Tradition

After the new Pope was elected on Tuesday evening, both religious and secular leaders across the world are waiting in anticipation to see what the future will turn out like for the 1.1 billion-member Roman Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany. The speech given by Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday morning has helped to ease the mixed emotions which have been present among some people.

This morning, all the cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the first Mass celebrated by the 265th leader of the Roman Catholic Church the Pope Benedict XVI. The new Pope read a message in Latin which declared the top priorities of his pontificate.

The Pope Benedict XVI, who used to serve as the leader for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is known as a strong enforcer and defender for Catholic orthodox values. According to the Associated Press, he pledged to continue implementing reforms from the Second Vatican Council from his statement this morning. On the other hand, he made clear that his pontificate would closely follow the path of his predecessor, the late Pope John Paul II. His traditional and reform approach may help to win the hearts of different people.

Continuing the ecumenical efforts of the late Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI considers reunifying all Christians as his primary task. He said this morning that sentiment alone would not be enough, but concrete acts that enter souls and move consciences were needed such as "an open and sincere dialogue" with other religions, the Associated Press reported.

Rabbi David Rosen, the American Jewish Committee's international director of inter-religious affairs, responded, "Ratzinger already has shown a profound commitment to advancing Catholic-Jewish relations".

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas also said that he hoped the new Pope would continue the Vatican's support for a just peace in the Holy Land.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, leader of the world's 70 million Anglicans, praised Ratzinger as a theologian of great stature and said he looked forward to working with him.

Pope Benedict was further quoted by the Associated Press, "I too ... want to affirm with decisive willingness to follow in the commitment of carrying out the Second Vatican Council, in the wake of my predecessors and in faithful continuity with the 2,000-year-old tradition of the church."

Pope Benedict referred that it was one of the late Pope's final will to continue on the work of the Second Vatican Council among the new generation.

The Second Vatican Council, the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, was announced by Pope John XXIII in 1959 and ended in 1965. In the words of Pope John's opening message, the Council was set to renew "ourselves and the flocks committed to us, so that there may radiate before all men the lovable features of Jesus Christ, who shines in our hearts that God's splendour may be revealed."

The Council produced 16 documents - all of which had to be approved by the Pope before they became official - on such subjects as the church in the modern world, the instruments of social communication, ecumenism, Eastern Catholic churches, renewal of religious life, Christian education, the relationship of the church to non-Christian religions, religious freedom and more. The Council initiated a new way of thinking for the church to a certain extent. It planted seeds for more possible changes in the Church in the future.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, the world's biggest Catholic country, congratulated the new Pope and voiced hope he would promote "peace and social justice at the same time as reviving the spiritual and moral values of the Church.", according to the Associated Press.