The Pope - and then you have to put up with this...

Benedict was showered with congratulations from foreign and religious leaders but the election was greeted with consternation by those hoping for a relaxation in John Paul's strict rule over the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.

"We consider the election of Ratzinger is a catastrophe ... We can expect no reform from him in coming years ... I think even more people will turn their back on the Church," said Bernd Goehring, of the German ecumenical group Church from Below.

The election dismayed liberal U.S. Catholics hoping for a softening of Church policy on married priests, the role of women, homosexuality, birth control and abortion.

Even in St. Peter's Square, some of the celebrations were tempered by fear of widening divisions in the Church.

"It's a historic moment, but a very sad one. He is even more conservative than John Paul II. All he knows to do is condemn, condemn, condemn," said Agusti Capdevila from Barcelona.

Wait a minute people... he was voted for by the cardinals and after 20 odd years as one of the most important persons in the life and work of the late Pope John Paul II and thats what you think? ...mr g

and this is what the Anglican Church had to say about the new Pope ...mr g

The Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Anglican Church, welcomed the election on Tuesday of German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as pope, highlighting the new pontiff's choice of name -- Pope Benedict XVI.

"He is a theologian of great stature, who has written some profound reflections on the nature of God and the church," said Archbishop Rowan Williams, who like Ratzinger is renowned as one of Christianity's thinkers.