By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is celebrating the election of Pope Benedict, XVI. Bishop Edward Kmiec will lead a Mass at Saint Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Buffalo at 12noon Wednesday. Kmiec met with reporters late Tuesday afternoon to talk about the new Holy Father.
Bishop Kmiec says he first met Cardinal Ratzinger on the streets of Rome. And later Kmiec and other Bishops had the opportunity to meet with the Cardinal. Kmiec describes him as a "genial and warm" man.
"He had a very fraternal aspect as he walked amongst the bishops -- a nice touch of common man," Kmiec said. "We will have an opportunity to see it now as he serves in the forefront. I hope some of those great qualities will emerge very much into his public persona."
Kmiec does not consider Benedict as a "transitional Pope" despite his age of 78. He says Pope Benedict is his "own man" and comes into the papacy understanding what it is all about because he worked so closely with Pope John Paul, II.
"His learning curve for being a pope will not be a long one," Kmiec said. "He has a familiarity with all that goes on at the Vatican. He worked so closely with the past pope.
The Bishop says Catholics must give the new Pope a chance to "be himself" so he can exercise his gifts and talents. Kmiec says he expects the Pope to tackle global and modern day issues.
"Issues include the real secularization of the West and how he is going to reach out to the people," Kmiec said. "This is what I know they will want to address -- what does he do to reach out and embrace people of faith."
Bishop Kmiec says he also believes the new Pope will work on the ongoing development of the Catholic Church in Third World countries.