Viva il Papa!

This fly was ZZzzzzz when in the early hours of this new day (locally), white smoke puffs signaled and bells tolled in Vatican City.

Habemus Papam!

Joseph Ratzinger...
... aka Cardinal No,
… Pope Benedict XVI
… 264th successor to St Paul
and the first Germanic pope in 1,000 years delivered his first Urbi at Orbi ("for the city and for the world") papal blessing, to chants of Viva il Papa (long live the Pope) in St Peters Square.

Viva il Papa

The name Benedict comes from the Latin word for "blessing" and the last Pope bearing the name, Benedict XV, reigned during World War I. Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate his first mass 3 a.m. ET in the Sistine Chapel, where he was elected less than 24 hours earlier.

As Rome and the Catholic world rejoices, world leaders extend their good wishes here. You may post yours here.

I too, pray this "Pope of Blessings" will build on John Paul II's substantial work in reconciliation and peace. God's grace and blessings be upon you always, Papa.