Wyoming Bishop Praises Pope Selection

Cheyenne, Wy – Wyoming Catholics and Wyoming's Bishop are mostly positive about the selection of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new Pope. The 78 year old Pope is regarded as a centrist, and many Wyoming catholics who were contacted were initially pleased. Pope Benedict the 16th is viewed as one of the leading conservatives of the Catholic Church, but Mary Shirk of Cheyenne thinks that is a good thing. Cheyenne Diocese Bishop David Ricken was interested that an older Pope was chosen. He wonders if it was difficult to find a younger Pope to follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II. Especially in trying to follow the same travel schedule.
But Bishop Ricken says he's known Cardinal Ratzinger for many years and has found him to be very open and intelligent.