Papal death, election marked critical transition for church

Published: 2005-12-09

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI last April marked a critical transition for the church and attracted the interest of the entire world. For Catholics, the passing of Pope John Paul at age 84 signified the end of an era. His 26-year pontificate was historic in terms of pastoral outreach, social involvement and global political impact. To many, the Polish-born pontiff made the deepest impression in his final days, at the end of his dramatic struggle with infirmity. When the pope's death was announced late April 2, more than 100,000 pilgrims were in St. Peter's Square. The pope's death set in motion a period of official mourning and reflection that culminated in the election of his successor. Late in the afternoon of April 19, as the world waited and watched, whitish-gray smoke began to pour out of the Sistine Chapel smokestack. Some 15 minutes later, the pealing of the St. Peter's Basilica bell confirmed that a new pope had been elected. The papal chamberlain appeared on the main balcony of St. Peter's to announce that German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had been elected pope and would take the name Benedict XVI. The new pope called himself "a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord."

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