While many in the Catholic world thought the next pope might have come from Africa or Latin America , the College of Cardinals surprised that anxiously waiting world with its choice of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as the 264 th Successor of Peter.

The chimney of the Sistine Chapel blew white smoke, the bells of St. Peter's tolled, and the large crowd cheered as the Pontiff made his first appearance and declared himself to be “a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord”. He chose the name Benedict XVI and is the first German pope in over 900 years.

Many Catholics are wondering what kind of pope Benedict XVI will be. His prior role as Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith colours many people's perception of him and generates some anxiety in certain quarters of the Church.

Many see him as the “guardian of orthodoxy” who silenced many eminent theologians. His fellow countryman, Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in a CNN interview last Tuesday said the key to understanding this papacy lay in the name the pope chose – Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Kasper said the new pope, following in the footsteps of Benedict XV (1914-1922) during World War I, is going to be “a man of peace and reconciliation.”

In his first address from St Peter's Balcony last Wednesday the new pope seemed to confirm Cardinal Kasper's words. The pope stated his commitment to take on the challenge of Christian unity for “he is fully determined to cultivate any initiative that may seem appropriate to promote contact and agreement with representatives from the various Churches and ecclesial communities.”

MAINTAINING VISIBLE UNITY

The new pope is also going to pursue the challenge of inter-religious dialogue. Regarding people of other faiths the pontiff said: “I will make every effort and dedicate myself to pursuing the promising dialogue that my predecessors began with various civilisations, because it is mutual understanding that gives rise to conditions for a better future for everyone.”

Those who know the new pope well speak of him as polite, charming and a good listener. These are qualities he will have to use to the fullest. One of the pains of John Paul II was his being unable to visit the Church in Russia.

We hope that Benedict XVI will use his charm and good listening skills successfully in order to achieve what his predecessor could not – a historic meeting with the Russian Orthodox Church.

These skills will also be needed in a Church wracked with internal problems that will not go away soon: cries for a married clergy, ordination of women and same-sex unions; severe decline in vocations to priesthood and religious life; ongoing litigation over clergy sexual abuse, and the immense challenge posed by rethinking the Christian gospel for the Asian context.

It is a monumental task to deal with all these different groups within the Church and still maintain visible unity as well as the authenticity of Christian faith. The new pontiff will therefore need our prayers and fidelity. Pope Benedict XVI said in his first address to the world that he was providentially chosen pontiff in this Holy Year of the Eucharist.

May the Eucharist strengthen him and his fellow bishops to preserve the unity of the Church in these challenging times.