The Symbolism Of 'Benedict'

New Pontiff's Choice Of Name Offers Signal To Spirit Of Papacy

(AP)  Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, the Roman Catholic Church's leading hard-liner, 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." Benedict is one of the more frequent choices made by pontiffs.

Benedict comes from the Latin word for "blessing."

"I think that the prior discussions had been done in a peaceful way and that's what this man wants to be, a man of peace, Benedict," said Cardinal Francis George, the archbishop of Chicago, on CBS News' The Early Show. "That's why he chose the name."

The last pope to choose the name — Benedict XV — served during World War One and was credited with settling animosity between traditionalists and modernists. He dreamed of reunion with Orthodox Christians.

And there's another Pope Benedict who was seen as a peacemaker. Pope Benedict XI served in the 14th century as political issues were building tension in the church.

One other aspect of the name may be appealing to the new Pope Benedict. He is known as a scholar, just like Pope Benedict XIV and Pope Benedict XI before him.

"He wrote a lot of his doctoral work on theology of history," George told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "There is a keen sense at this time historical challenges to civilization and to the Catholic Church, particularly in the west. I think that's what we need now because that's where the challenge is coming from, not the east so much anymore."

"He's a man of deep faith. The pope must always be that," added George.

Pope Benedict had the option to pick from any of his 264 predecessors, use his own first name or come up with something new.

Vatican-watchers will read the choice like tea leaves offering clues to the spirit of the new papacy.

If he had chosen the name Pius XIII, it would've been "a clear signal that he didn't like Vatican II and wants to move the church backwards," said the Rev. Thomas Reese, editor of the Jesuit weekly magazine America, referring to the conservative stance of Pope Pius XII, who died in 1958.

Taking the name John XXIV would signify "a desire to continue the Second Vatican Council," Reese said. Pius XII's successor, John XXIII, called the international gathering of prelates from 1962-65, which was credited with modernizing the church through its liberalizing reforms.

According to conclave ritual, the new pope gives his name to the cardinals while they are still gathered in the Sistine Chapel. The name is then revealed to the world in the "Habemus papam" ("We have a pope") announcement from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica shortly before the new pontiff appears to give his first blessing.