As you undoubtedly know by now, the conclave of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church has selected Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to be the next Pope, who has taken the name Benedict XVI.

Now, no one reads my blog to get breaking news, nor do they come here to learn anything about the Catholic Church. While I'm a Christian, I'm a Southern Baptist. While I have a benevolent attitude toward Catholics in general, and their Pope specifically, he holds no religious authority for me. The passing of Pope John Paul II and the election of his successor are merely interesting world events for me.

And yet...

I'm working from home today, and I've had cable news on the TV, softly murmuring in the background to see if a new Pope would be named today. As the smoke started streaming from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel shortly before noon, I turned my attention to the TV to try to determine its color (black for an inconclusive vote, white for a successful election). Like the disembodied voices reporting the events, I couldn't quite tell at first if the smoke was black or white. While the smoke became whiter and whiter, the excitement and anticipation began to build in me.

As I watched the joy of the gathered crowd and heard the descriptions of people running to St Peter's Square, the emotions seeped into my heart, and tears of joy began to leak from my eyes.

What? I'm crying because a new Pope has been chosen? I don't know yet who has been elected, or have any idea what effect his ascension will have on the Catholic Church, or the world at large; I know virtually nothing about the Papacy, and the Pope has little impact on me, and I'm crying?

Admittedly, I've turned into a bit of a crybaby over the years, at least when I'm confronted with highly emotional situations. But I can't for the life of me figure out why these tears of joy (yes, I've at least figured that part out) are erupting from me.

I suppose it's because I'm happy for the Catholics, who have suffered through the recent loss of their much beloved John Paul II, and now have his successor at the head of their church. Their joy is infectious, even at a distance.

I extend my congratulations to my Catholic friends, and I join you in your prayers of thanks and supplication for the election of Benedict XVI, who arguably has the most demanding job in the world now.