With the death of John Paul II on April 2, 2005, the College of Cardinals began discussions to choose the new pope.
With 1,115 cardinals, four votes were held, but only at the end of the day on April 19 did the Vatican chimney release white smoke, thus announcing the choice of a new pontiff.
The German Joseph Ratzinger was announced as the new pope and decided to be called Benedict XVI. The name was officially announced on April 24, 2005, at a special mass held in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Benedict XVI spoke in favor of a leadership that embraced all.
“In your footsteps [de Bento XV]I wish to place my ministry at the service of reconciliation and harmony between people and peoples, profoundly convinced that the great good of peace is above all a gift from God – a fragile and precious gift that must be invoked, protected and built day by day day after day with everyone’s contribution”, he added during the audience.
Even so, his alternatives presented in speech were not enough for the pontiff to be out of controversy.
For defending a conservative Church and making statements against the adoption of children by people of the same sex, he was criticized by the press.
Source: CNN Brasil
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