Cardinal Joesph Ratzinger

Mark writes satirically: It's official - new pope is a fomer member of the
Hitler Youth - Jews around the world rejoice at the
remarkable selection - just days before passover!
"May he stay forever young"
Robert Zimmerman.

Conspiracy feared. Hanging chads held up ballot count for a week. Liberal Cardinals demand recount. Morning after pill renamed Zyklon C.

Ratzinger served John Paul II since 1981 as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In that position, he has disciplined church dissidents and upheld church policy against attempts by liberals for reforms. He turned 78 on Saturday.

(Update)-Ny Daily News has this: New Pope? Nope

Ezra says Da New Pope: ...In any case, this isn't exactly the guy I'd like to see get the job, indeed, I fear he'll just continue the rightward politicization of the Vatican. But then, nobody asked me, and I'm not even a Catholic, so my thoughts on the matter don't much count.

Update: EJ Dionne has some thoughts, Andy Sullivan is markedly unhappy, The Corner is typing so fast that the magazine is going to be sidelined with a staff-wide case of carpal tunnel, Giblets doesn't much like his new Pope costume, Ed Kilgore thinks the "conservative" label is misplaced, and Sam Rosenfeld asks the operative question: Where's Gary Wills?

Majifthise says: habemus papam

Liz says:Pope Watch Is Over: Oh boy, watch out for the Catholic Church now. Progressive Catholics will probably start committing suicide any day.The new man in the big hat is Benedict XVI who is really Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
Women beware. We're going back in time.

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