The Symbolism Of 'Benedict'

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.

In the early church, most popes kept their own names, which accounts for such archaic appellations as Adeodatus, Formosus, Hyginus and Anastasius Bibliothecarius.

In the 20th century, three popes took the name Pius, one Benedict, one Paul, and one John. In 1978, the newly elected patriarch of Venice, Albino Luciani, combined John and Paul to become the first John Paul in papal history. In deference to Luciani, who died after only 33 days in office, his successor became John Paul II.

Choosing a new name as pontiff did not become a tradition until 996, when Bruno, the first German pope, became known as Gregory V. Named after a pagan god, the 6th-century priest Mercury changed his name to John II upon becoming pope.

Over the centuries, the most popular name has been John. Twenty-three popes have taken the name of Jesus' most beloved apostle, followed by 16 Gregories, 15 Benedicts and 13 Leos.

Benedict, which comes from the Latin for "blessing," is one of a number of papal names of holy origin such as Clement ("mercy"), Innocent ("hopeful" as well as "innocent") and Pius ("pious").

The new pope could've chosen the name John Paul III, thus embracing the formidable legacy of his predecessor, who in 26 years on the throne of Peter traveled farther and met with more people than any other pope in the history of the church.

Such a choice would've signaled that the new pope is committed to continuing John Paul II's legacy, but it would also show he was responding to the "huge affection of people around the world for John Paul II," Reese said.

The one name that no pontiff has presumed to duplicate is that of Peter the Apostle, the first pope.

Although the pope is also known as the "successor of Peter," no one wants to put himself on the same level as the man who, according to church teaching, Christ himself put at the head of his flock.