Đakovo (IKA/BTU) – An excellent theologian, intellectual and man of spirituality has been chosen as Pope, announced Auxiliary Bishop Đuro Hranić of Đakovo and Srijem to the media at the bishop’s residence in Đakovo, commenting on the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratizinger as the new Successor of Peter – Pope Benedict XVI.

“As one of Pope John Paul II’s closest associates and due to his past service as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the new Pope is well acquainted with the situation of the Church in the world, as well as the organization and activities of the Apostolic Curia. He greatly respected Pope John Paul II and I do not believe that in this sense it is necessary to anticipate any reversals,” Bishop Hranić pointed out, adding: “Every person is a unique original and every person is a treasure in himself. Insofar as we expect the new Pope to be a copy of his predecessor, we shall be disappointed because he is not such according to his nature or his gifts. He is an individual who, like each of us, is an original. I would want all of us to cultivate a state of mind and allow God to enrich us and bestow upon us the riches that this person has within him. He is not unknown to us and we can study and follow his theological ideas and activities. Many of his books and writings have been published.”

“This time, that which has been known to occur did not occur – that someone entered the Conclave as Pope left as a cardinal. Obviously the new Pope has affirmed himself through the course of time. I personally do not like classifications on the left or right side, progressive or conservative. I think that we can anticipate that Pope Benedict XVI will truly continue to develop the work of his predecessors,” said Bishop Hranić.

He deeply believes that what the new Pope will bring us with his office belongs to Divine Providence, which in this way leads and directs the Church and world in our times. “Cardinal Ratzinger was one of the most open cardinals toward the media and it was primarily thanks to him, as the dead of the College of Cardinals, that the media were able to cover the cardinals’ entry into the Conclave. I think that we can simply rejoice and thank God,” said Bishop Hranić.

In response to a journalist’s question on what Croatia can expect from the new Pope after the papacy of John Paul II, who had demonstrated an exceptional affinity for this nation, Bishop Hranić said: “It is difficult to expect that anyone would act in such a manner as did the late Pope John Paul II. However, on the other hand, Pope John Paul II had a great impact on the people around him. Cardinal Ratzinger was one of his closest associates and therefore I think that we need not anticipate any reversals in attitude toward Croatia from anyone who was chosen from among the close associates of the late Pope. Cardinal Ratzinger was in Zagreb in 2001 at the Symposium on the 20th Anniversary of the Death of Cardinal Šeper, who was his predecessor in the office of the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Pope Benedict XVI is well acquainted with our situation and we can anticipate that he will be open and kindly disposed toward us,” he said.

Bishop Hranić also mentioned that the new Pope is acquainted with the situation in the Đakovo and Srijem Diocese. “The Munich Archdiocese, that he headed before he went to Rome, was and remains one of the German dioceses that followed what was happening in the Đakovo and Srijem Diocese and provided material assistance,” explained Bishop Hranić.