Początki pontyfikatu Benedykta XVI na łamach „Rzeczpospolitej” w 2005 roku

Abstract

In the Polish daily „Rzeczpospolita” of 2005 there were ca. 345 verbal press units devoted to the person and activity of first Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then Pope Benedict XVI. They were pieces of information (paragraphs, news), and opinion-forming pieces (articles, commentaries). Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger belonged to the closest co-workers of John Paul II, holding the function of the prefect of the Congregation for the Teaching of Faith. The media called him “a strict guardian of the doctrine,” counting him in the conservative line of the cardinal collegium. He belonged to the group of favourite candidates for a pope and was the author of the famous devotions for the Way of the Cross in the Coliseum. His sermons at the funeral of John Paul II and the beginning of the conclave were highly acclaimed; he presided at the conclave as the Dean of cardinal collegium. It was no surprise when Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope. The first months of his pontificate were closely scrutinised and commented by the media. He was compared to his Predecessor: differences and continuation were noticed as well. It was anticipated that the new pontificate would strive after moral regeneration based on firm principles, that the new pope would care about the intellectual discipline of the Catholic doctrine, the development of Christian culture, that he would be a pope of dialogue.