White smoke billowed out of the Vatican on Tuesday morning, signaling to the world that German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had become Pope Benedict XVI.
He is the 263rd man to hold the position, and the 265th pope.
As Rome revealed the successor to Pope John Paul II, who died April 2 at the age of 84, the ASU community had its own thoughts on the new Catholic leader.
The All Saints Catholic Newman Center, located at the intersection of University Drive and College Avenue, released a statement in favor of the new Catholic leader.
"This is indeed a historic moment, and we believe in the workings of the Holy Spirit within the church's ministries to the world," the center said. "We are all praying for Pope Benedict as we move forward toward peace and justice."
ASU students who attend the Newman Center said Benedict couldn't be judged at such an early date.
"I think we need to give him a chance," communication junior Nicole Peppin said.
Pope John Paul II's legacy can never be diminished, and the selecting of a new pope is an important experience, Peppin added.
"This is the first time in our lifetime there has been a new pope," she said.
Anthony Alfaro, a biochemistry sophomore, said he would have been happier if the new pope wasn't from Europe.
"I was hoping for Cardinal [Francis] Arinze," he said.
Arinze is from Africa, and he would have brought more diversity to the Catholic Church, Alfaro said.
"At least they didn't revert back to an Italian pope," he added.
At St. James the Apostle Church in Tempe, Father Kerry Neuhardt said all of the cardinals considered were good spiritual leaders.
The world has to wait to see what will happen with Benedict, he added.
"One person can make or break the church," he said.
Neuhardt said it is a more difficult time for the church, but the pope can still be a powerful voice. Pope John Paul II did many great things in his time and that should be continued, he added.
"I was sad that his days were up," Neuhardt said.
Nursing senior Sarah Booth said all the candidates for pope had to have been qualified, or they would not have been in the running.
"[Benedict] wouldn't have been elected if they thought he wasn't going to do a good job," she said.
Reach the reporter at michael.famiglietti@asu.edu.
ONLINE EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was modified April 24. Pope Benedict XVI is the 265th pope, but not the 265th man to hold the position, as was previously stated. The pope is in fact the 263rd man to hold the position.
