Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday celebrated his first Mass as pontiff, and laid out the top priorities for his papacy.

In a message read in Latin to cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the first mass, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said he will work to unify all Christians, develop interfaith relations, and continue implementing reforms to the Second Vatican Council as his predecessor the late Pope John Paul II had done.

According to the Associated Press, Benedict referred to Pope John Paul II several times in his message, including a reference to the late pope’s desire to continue the work of the Second Vatican Council that modernised the church.

"I too ... want to affirm with decisive willingness to follow in the commitment of carrying out the Second Vatican Council, in the wake of my predecessors and in faithful continuity with the 2,000-year-old tradition of the church," Benedict said.

The new pope also said his "primary task" would be unifying all Christians.

"Concrete acts that enter souls and move consciences are needed," he said.

Going further, Pope Benedict said he wished to continue "an open and sincere dialogue" with other religions and would do everything in his power to improve the ecumenical cause – similar to the legacy of Pope John Paul’s papacy.

Benedict had been the Vatican’s hard-line enforce of church orthodoxy under John Paul for nearly 25 years, and has been called the late pontiff’s "right-hand man" on several occasions. Benedict emerged Tuesday as the oldest pontiff at the time of his election in 275 years – he became 78 on Saturday – and the first German pope in nearly 1,000 years.

According to reports received by the Associated Press, Benedict XVI looked "a little forlorn" when he went to change into his papal vestments in the Room of Tears – a room that received its name because many new pontiffs cry there realising the enormity of their mission.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, Benedict said he felt John Paul’s presence as he wrestled with gratefulness for the gift of being a pope but also a sense of inadequacy in carrying out the responsibility.

"I seem to feel his strong hand holding mine. I feel I can see his smiling eyes and hear his words, at this moment particularly directed at me: 'Be not afraid,’" the new Pontiff said.

Benedict was elected on the fourth ballot on the second day of the conclave, marking one of the shortest conclaves in 100 years.





Pauline J. Chang
Ecumenical Press