The 78-year-old German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been elected as the leader of the 1.1 billion-strong Roman Catholic Church. He was being widely considered as a popular candidate in the run up to the election period, due to his strong background of Catholic orthodoxy.

Cardinal Ratzinger was brought by John Paul II to Rome in 1981 to lead the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He has served as enforcer of Catholic doctrines and defender of deeply conservative values, laying down strict interpretations of religious teachings, excommunicating left-wing theologians and speaking out against divorce, gay marriage and much else besides. Many cardinals expect that Ratzinger will continue with the late Pope's strict biblical agenda.

Unlike many German Catholics who have opposed the hard-line stance against women priest, Cardinal Ratzinger upholds that the traditional Catholic teachings on women ministry in the Church. Unlike Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger is not seen as a man of great popularity in his native country.

Wolfgang Cooper, a commentator on religious affairs in Germany, said to BBC News before his election that the cardinal could become a divisive figure. The cardinal is a "scientist" who "prefers intellectual discussions", says Cooper, whereas many Catholics want priests and bishops "who will touch the hearts".

Ratzinger is also known for his intellectual and theological brilliance as he has written over 40 books. Just like the late Pope John Paul II, he is gifted with brilliant linguistic skills and speaks ten languages.

Born on 16th April 1927 in a village of 2700 people on the Austrian border east of Munich, he was made a priest in 1951. In 1977 he was made archbishop of Munich and Freising, and in the same year was made a cardinal by Pope Paul IV. Despite his substantial achievements until then, his transfer to Rome in 1981 marked the turning point in his career, enabling him to work closely with the Pope, with whom he usually spoke in private conversations in German.