Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales
on the election of new Pope

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales expressed the joy of the Archdiocese of Manila on the election of Pope Benedict XVI in a brief press conference on April 20 at noon at the Arzobispado de Manila.

In a brief opening statement, the Archbishop recalled the recent events that have peaked with the announcement of the new Pope in Rome at past six in the evening of April 19. He pointed to the global nature of the unfolding of the event, as it was broadcast live to millions of people all over the world, and to the Philippines. The swift election of the new Pope is seen as the working of the Holy Spirit after the Church had gone into a period of Interregnum—the death and burial of John Paul II (of happy memory), the grieving not only of the entire Christendom but of the whole world, and the Conclave, which happily concluded within a short time.

The Cardinals had selected the man they’ve seen fit to lead the Church at this time and has carried the name Pope Benedict XVI. His election is a time of jubilation for the Church and the people of God.

Answering reporters’ questions Archbishop Rosales expressed optimism that the new Pope may endear himself to Filipinos as the late Pope John Paul II. “They say that he (Pope Benedict XVI) is an open man, so if there will be occasions… some chances given to this present Holy Father as was given John Paul II… I’m sure he will connect.” He said that the new Pope’s way of connecting to young people will be seen when the Pope meets them in August at the World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany.

The Archbishop also recalled a personal encounter he had with then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger at one of the synods he attended in Rome. He said that the cardinal approached him as he was walking during a break and they talked for a long while, and what impressed him most was his simplicity and humility.

"Here is a man who is known for his depth, intelligence and seriousness and he was the one who asked if he could join me. I was flabbergasted by what he did and I felt so small.”

They talked for a long while not about theology but about the Philippines. When Archbishop Rosales found out that the Cardinal would be going to Hong Kong to deliver a talk, he asked him to proceed to the Philippines which was just an hour and a half away from the colony.

"The man (then Cardinal Ratzinger) said so discreetly, ‘No, I couldn’t do that; because of my position I am only allowed to go to Hong Kong to talk.’ I was never able to convince him as he said, ‘No, I have to go back. I have only this reason to go to Asia to give a talk and back.’ So that was the end of the possible trip to the Philippines, but believe you me, he’s a very warm man,” Archbishop Rosales said.

Archbishop Rosales said that the issues that the new Pope would face could be gleaned from what had gone by in the last 26 years of John Paul II’s pontificate. These are vocations, priesthood, the youth, and the family, the sacredness of the family.