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NEW POPE ELECTED
Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 -- 10:17 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
 It has been a year of immense change for area Catholics. In March, Jerome Listecki was installed as the new Bishop for the La Crosse Diocese, and on Tuesday a new Pope was named.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected to succeed the late Pope John Paul II, who passed away on April 2nd.
Father Woodrow Pace of St. Mary’s Church in Neillsville says Ratzinger, who’ll now be known as Pope Benedict XVI, was a close friend of Pope John Paul II. The late pontiff was known as “conservative” in matters of church doctrine. Father Pace believes Pope Benedict XVI will continue down that path.
"I think he'll be strongly committed to the traditions of the Church," Father Pace said, "I also think he's a very prayerful man who will listen to the voice of The Holy Spirit and continue leading us in that direction."
As the passing of Pope John Paul II is now fading a bit from headlines, Father Pace reflects that this has been a time of immense “good’ publicity for Catholicism, which has received so much bad publicity in recent years.
"It's been a nice change for us," Father Pace laughed, adding he's been moved by the outpouring of sympathy from area non-catholic congregations.
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