From the Post Dispatch: Germany's Cardinal Ratzinger elected pope

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, the Roman Catholic Church's leading hard-liner, was elected pope Tuesday in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Benedict XVI and called himself "a simple, humble worker."

"Hard-liner"??? Yes, the truth is difficult for many to accept.

Faithful Catholics must offer their prayers and sacrifices for our new Holy Father, just as many of us are doing here for Archbishop Burke. When one of our spiritual fathers in faith are steadfast in teaching the fullness of the truth, they will be attacked, ridiculed, and spurned. We should, as humble and obedient children of God, offer our unhesitating support and encouragement to them and pray that God will continue to bless them and watch over them.

Ratzinger, the first German pope in centuries, emerged onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he waved to a wildly cheering crowd of tens of thousands and gave his first blessing. Other cardinals clad in their crimson robes came out on other balconies to watch him after one of the fastest papal conclaves of the past century.

More here.