| Catholics Still Celebrating Holy See Victory |
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Popular Pontiff Pope Benedict XVI Endorsed By Catholic Faith
The victory wasn't a surprise, as Catholicism led the polls for most of the race, but is seen as a vindication, and by some a divine sign, of their version of Christianity. The Catholics have hung onto papal power since Pope Martin V was elected in 1417 at the Council of Constance, ending the Avignon schism. As soon as the papal writ was dropped Catholic candidates from all over the world started their campaigns. There was some fear that the split in the Catholic vote would allow a heretical outsider, perhaps even an Arianist or Nestorian onto St. Peter's chair, but in backroom deals in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the hotel-style accommodation in Vatican City the Catholic Cardinals closed ranks and in one play-off after another they out-manouevered outside contenders, including a Baptist and two Anglican priests from even getting their names on the ballots. Possible Popes are, strictly speaking, any male Christian cleric or layman, who is not a heretic, in schism, or notorious for simony, but they must belong to the College Of Cardinals. Campaign public relations ran into a few small stumbling blocks early on, such as trying to find a way to print "Vote Cardinal So-In-So for Bishop of Rome; Vicar of Jesus Christ; Successor of Saint Peter, the Prince of the Apostles; Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church; Patriarch of the West; Primate of Italy; Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of Rome; Sovereign of the State of Vatican City" on campaign buttons and posters. Some evangelical "born-again" observers complained about voting irregularities, but since all the ballots were burnt there was no way to validate their accusations. Other Christian sects are taking the election in stride. "You have to hand it to them-- they have an excellent organization and know how to run an election," said Prestor John, a one-time candidate from the East. "The problem is that they stick together. In the Renaissance we tried splitting them with all the Protestant sects, but to no avail. They reformed and continued the Catholic juggernaut." "The Catholics deserved to win this election. They've shown temperence and mercy since the ascension scandals in the Middle Ages. If we want to see a change in government we'll have to get some muslims elected to the College of Cardinals." 
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