He may have been elected because he IS older; the Cardinals may want someone who may not be Pope for 26 years again, but who knows?
Well, I think that's exactly the point. They said on tv that Ratzinger has health problems already, and so has that more liberal Italian about whom they said he would have had good chances, too.

I'm not catholic either, but I was surprised when I came home and saw on tv that the white smoke just had risen. I thought it would last longer. At this point, they didn't know who the new Pope was, but they kind of expected it would be Ratzinger and so it was. Since John Paul II was very much loved, I think we'll see how Benedictus XVI will handle the situation. I think the other 5 German Cardinals in the conclave were against him btw, as they are more liberal.

Barbara, I think it's kinda cool that your co-worker has been confirmed by the new Pope!

Kirsten