Prayers for our new Pope. Pope XX

Parish of St. John the Evangelist,
Ballinteer Avenue, Dublin 16

E-Mail: editor@ballinteer.dublindiocese.ie

Habemus Papum - - We have a Pope.
Around 5pm (Irish time) on 19 April 2005 the bells rang from St. Peter's Basilica & white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel signalling a new Pope had been elected. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope to succeed Pope John Paul II by the conclave of 115 Cardinals in the Vatican.
He choose the name of Pope Benedict XVI. The previous Pope Benedict XV served as Pope for 8 years during the first world war and was regarded as a peacemaker.
His first words as Pope were "Dear Brothers and Sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II the Cardinals have chosen me a simple and humble worker in the Lord's vineyard".
He ended by saying "may the blessing of the hold spirit be with you all and remain with you always".

Pope Benedict XVI was born in Bavaria, Germany in 1927 and is 78 years old. His Father was a policeman and the young Ratzinger was interred as a Prisioner of War in 1945. He was Archbishop of Munich for a short time before Pope John Paul II brought him to Rome in 1981. Cardinal Ratzinger has served as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith since his appointment by John Paul II in 1981.

Pope Benedict XVI President Mary MacAleese paid tribute to him,

President McAleese welcomed the election of Pope Benedict this evening. In a message to the new Pope, she said 'The world responded in grief and wonder to the passing of John Paul II. 'You embody their hopes for greater unity among peoples and a more just and caring human family. Your guidance and leadership amid the complexities of modern life will be crucial. 'May your acceptance of this tremendous burden of service bear fruit in our world.'

Photo taken in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday 5th September 2007 when a group of parishioners went to Rome to attend a neighbours wedding and were fortunate to be part of a general audience in the presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI..

Pope Benedict's Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, April 2010.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II died on the 2 April 2005.

Click on his photo below to read about our beloved Pope John II.

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