This Pope's past antagonism towards Anglicans and Protestants shows an intolerance at odds with the virtues of Christ. His reactionary views against the marriage of priests and birth control border on the ludicrous in the modern world as does his fearfulness to embrace post-modernism. A sad day for the Roman Catholic world. It is a true tragedy that the great work of John XXIII has been spurned by his less than worthy successors.
Lee D., Hobart, AustraliaAs an Anglican apostate and adult convert to the Catholic faith, I welcome the election of Pope Benedict XVI with joy and thankfullness. My old church - the Church of England and other mainstream protestant denominations (eg. the Methodists) - have all adopted the liberal agenda advocated by many here, resulting in doctrinal and ecclesiastical chaos and a massive emptying of pews far worse than anything the Catholic Church faces. I hope that this papacy is the last straw for so-called "Liberal Catholics" and that they will have the courage of their convictions and leave. I am sure the Church of England will welcome them with open arms and they will find a home where they can believe what they like and do what they like, without troublesome doctrines to conflict with their egos. Jonathan Clark, London
I think the choice made is entirely incorrect. Whilst I could understand the early Church being against homosexuals, I think that in this day and age when it has been proven scientifically that our sexuality is pre-determined and not a "choice", electing a new pope who has stood up and denounced homosexuality is indefensible. I agree that the Church should not alter everything about itself and that progress isn't always good, but without some form of modernisation it runs the risk of alienating itself from today's society. Like it or not, times have changed and the Church needs to remember that. Christine Sangster, Cardiff
When you look at the selection of Cardinal Ratzinger objectively you realize that the College of Cardinals made the right choice. He is the ideal person given his position in the church and closeness to John Paul II. I believe Benedict XVI will be a caretaker pope and that the next pope will be more of a change-agent for the church. One needs to keep in mind that you're talking about a 2,000 year-old religion that has found little need to change. But now the pace of change and demands of the faithful are more powerful then ever before. Tom Lee, Stillwater, USA
The election of Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope merely highlights the Catch 22 situation in which the Catholic church finds itself. It is obvious to most people that as society has become more progressive, educated and enlightened there is a need for the Church to change in order to survive. However, in doing so they are going against the very conservative values for which they stand, thus resulting in the gradual erosion of the Church itself. I'm afraid that for the Catholic Church in either circumstance this can only lead to a world where secularism is the victor and religion the vanquished. Paul Travers, Glasgow
I have spent the last few days both following closely what Ratzinger says and how he comes across. I cannot agree with all of the positions he has taken in the past (this is not suprising, as I am not neither Catholic nor a practising Christian) but I cannot believe that such a gentle, cultured and profoundly sincere person should not be given a chance to prove himself worthy of the important role with which he has been entrusted instead of being instantly condemned. Rachel, Milan, Italy
As a liberal Catholic I was hoping for a progressive pope who would deal with subjects like celibacy, women priests, contraception and the Church's attitude to homosexuality.We also need someone who will reach out to other religions and take a stance on poverty in the developing world and injustice. I'm afraid Cardinal Ratzinger is the worst possible choice. He doesn't even like female altar servers. What a blow to progressive minded Catholics everywhere. Catherine M Davison, Sheffield
In all this debate over a "right" or "wrong" choice of Ratzinger as Pope several major and central points are being continually overlooked. For Catholics the cardinals in conclave are inspired to make their choice of Pope by the Holy Spirit. It thus becomes not a question of a political-style vote, but literally a God-given choice. That choice is pre-ordained, the conclave merely enacts it. A great deal has also appeared in the media about left and right, pro- or anti- particular views and the effect on the Church. Again this is a misunderstanding. Catholics are only bound to believe as matters of faith what is given by a Pope speaking "ex-cathedra", all else, including encyclicals are matters of teaching and guidance from the Pope. They do not have the same standing; although Catholics are strongly advised to follow them they are not obligatory. We have a Pope of whom we actually know relatively little. What will happen in the future we have yet to see. We can only hope that he can bring to the office he now holds some of his predecessor's magnetism and oureach to the world. Peter Dzwig, Guildford
He isn't a liberal, but neither was John Paul who was extremely popular. I feel the Catholic Church needs to take a firm position and represent traditional ideals in a society which is increasingly immoral. Whilst I don't think it should remain static I think that embracing liberalism completely would only serve to alienate traditional Catholics. Yes to change - but one step at a time. I hope that the new Pope will achieve this. Chiara Fontanabella, Italy
It seems illogical that a man of 78 should take on such responsability, surely he should be retired already. It simply highlights the fact that whilst the rest of the world accepts the virtues of youth and flexibility the "old boys' network" which is the cardinal college, continues to prefer to appoint an old man as pope - a man who at his age has already made up his mind on all the key issues. Javier Mandayo Sanchez, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Doctrinal purity and cultural evolution have never been happy bed fellows. And so the Catholic Church will stand apart, lonely and remote from the lives of most of its adherents and become even more irrelevant. With an opportunity to embrace the possible, the cardinals have chosen to condemn the church to the misery of ossified dogma. John Cutler, London
Yes, he is the right choice. I am not a Catholic and I am a liberal. Yet I do believe that any church that deviates from its fundamental values just to satisfy so called modern liberal attitudes is not worth a string of plastic beads. It is curous but it is they that are losing their followers the fastest. Wouldn't these churches love to have congregations that showed the same love and joy in their faces as those in St Peter's Square when they beheld their new Pope. Name and address withheld
My first reaction was deep sadness and disappointment. It is a great chance passed up. In the past, this new Pope became notorious for questioning ecumenism, retarding sexual equality, segregating gay people. I don't care at all what nationality a pope is, what matters is his character, his message and commitment. Though, like anyone confronted with a great task, he deserves a chance. Hans Haeusler, Munich
