Axios! He is Worthy!

¡Habemus Papam!

Folks, I knew he was "papabile," and knew he could make a great Pope, but wow! I am elated.

¡Ad multos annos, Benedictus, PP XVI, Pontifex Maximus!

It is a great and agreeable surprise that the former "Panzer" Cardinal is now the new Holy Father. What his election portends for the Church is continuity and consolidation of the work of Pope John Paul the Great. We can expect continued, strong doctrinal clarity, leadership, and discipline, as well as the continued authentic interpretation of Vatican II. All-in-all, steady as she goes for the Ship of Peter.

The initial coverage from the mainstream press, particularly BBC radio, has been asinine, emphasizing Pope Benedict's "baggage," age, alleged heart condition, and frankly, wishing that he dies soon. In CNN, the talking head said that the Cardinals have "some explaining to do," particularly those from Northern Europe and North America, as to why they voted for him. As if the Cardinals had to please a political constituency.

What does this mean for the likes of Küng, Chittister, Joy Barnes, Linda Pieczynski, Mario Cuomo, Andrew Greeley, Frances Kissling, Richard McBrien, and the folks of "We are the Church" (Not!)? They're probably writhing on the ground in extreme pain. Like I said on my previous piece, The Next Pope Should Clean House, I hope that he show these "Catholics" the door, and soon.

Let us pray for our new Holy Father, for the Church, and thank the Lord for granting us the man we need for this day and age.

P.S. "Axios" means "worthy" in Greek. Newly ordained clergymen are customarily acclaimed with the title upon ordination.