Early reaction to news

* Rev. Robert Hohenstein, pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Schenectady: "I am elated! I was at the rectory. I went upstairs [to watch television], and they were talking about the smoke. I kept waiting, and then I saw the bells start to move. I went over and rang the church bells here! When they announced [who was pope], I went over and rang them again.

"I predicted it would be Tuesday [when the pope was chosen], and I predicted it would be Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. I am elated about his selection. I [ministered] at Our Lady Help of Christians in Albany for 32 years, and I was there when it closed; and on April 3 of this year, I gave the closing homily at Our Lady of Angels in Albany, and that was a German parish, too.

"I'm going to tell people here that they have two Germans to contend with! He comes from the same part of Germany my grandparents came from -- Bavaria. Maybe he'll call me up and ask me to be his secretary!

"I think [Pope Benedict XVI] was chosen by the college of cardinals because they want to continue what Pope John Paul II was doing doctrinally. He's 78, so he won't be here for a long time, and maybe next time there will be a younger man. But he may well surprise everyone. His role as dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrating the Holy Father's funeral liturgy, his role yesterday in celebrating the Mass before they went into the consistory: He has a presence and an image."

* Deacon Robert H. Wubbenhorst, Blessed Sacrament, Bolton Landing: "I was delivering Meals on Wheels and walked into a client's home just a little after noon. She isn't Catholic, but she met me with the words, 'You have a new pope.' I watched her TV for a little bit then returned to the meal site. As I walked in, another non-Catholic told me it was Cardinal Ratzinger.

"I'm thrilled. I think his German background may have given him some bad press in the past, but my father-in-law was from Bavaria, as Cardinal Ratzinger is, and so I have a special affinity for Bavarians. They are the greatest people.

"I've read some of his writings and, frankly, he and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to theological perspective. I'm overjoyed."

* Rev. Giles Van Wormer, OFM, Conv., who studied for the priesthood in Germany: "I was at the Cafe Nora in Latham, having coffee and an apple turnovers with Father Alvin Somerville and Father Rufino Maloney. We had placed our orders, and I noticed that their TV was turned on. I saw the white smoke coming from the chimney. I began to listen a little closer. When we got our orders, we sat down and watched Cardinal Ratzinger come outside as pope. Everyone in the cafe was watching.

"I'm delighted that he was elected because I'm sure he will continue the work of John Paul II. I agree with his views.

"For the German people I know it must be a delight that one of their own has been chosen pope, particularly for German Catholics."

(Reported by Kate Blain, assistant editor, and Pat Pasternak, staff writer.)

(4/21/05)