Utahns greet news with praise, joy and support

Utah Catholics greeted the election of Pope Benedict XVI with rejoicing and a desire to see how the white-haired former German theology professor will confront the social and moral issues on which he has been dubbed a "hard-liner."

All eyes at both of the Salt Lake Valley's Catholic high schools were on their new leader, whom Bishop George Niederauer lauded for his incisive mind, balanced thinking and patience.

The bishop said during a news conference Tuesday that he would expect a continuity of thought from the new pontiff, very much in line with the positions of his predecessor, in his concern for the poor, for world peace and "in continuing the living tradition of Catholic doctrine."

"In the tradition of the church, you take the unchanging document of the gospel and apply it to the changing circumstances of the world," Bishop Niederauer said, adding the new pope was a key supporter of Pope John Paul II.

"He is 78 and made a strong attempt to retire," before his predecessor died, "but the Holy Father convinced him he needed to stay on with that position" as Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a post charged with safeguarding the church's doctrinal purity.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledged the new pontiff, saying in a prepared statement, "We join with men and women of goodwill everywhere in congratulating Cardinal Ratzinger on his election as Pope Benedict XVI.

"We wish for him and his many followers continuing progress in furthering the cause of peace among the nations, and the alleviation of poverty and distress throughout the world."

President Gordon B. Hinckley twice praised Pope John Paul II on the day he died during the LDS Church's annual General Conference earlier this month. He expressed gratitude for the pope's moral courage, though the pontiff formally ruled in 2001 that LDS baptisms are not considered valid by Catholic leadership. That formal statement also was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now known as Pope Benedict XVI.

Bishop Niederauer said American Catholics — known within the faith for their liberal leanings — likely will have various reactions to the new pope. He acknowledged that for many, the teachings of top leadership are difficult "and that's a real test of our faith sometimes. . . . But everyone doesn't greet the teaching of Christ and his church in the same way."