School Already Feels Familiar With New Pope

By Jia-Rui Chong

April 21, 2005 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

When the newly elected pope announced that he was taking the name Benedict XVI, the faithful cheered particularly loud in Montebello, where students at St. Benedict School were watching the Vatican City scene on TV and locals were praying at St. Benedict Church.

Bells pealed. First-graders asked, “Is he going to come here because we are St. Benedict?”

The brick and black marble church, situated amid tidy houses and tree-lined streets, serves about 2,000 mostly Latino families in this working-class city about eight miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Wednesday morning, parishioners, teachers, students and parents brimmed with cheer about the new pope, German-born Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

“We’re excited,” said Tracie Lopez, 41, a nurse at the school and a parishioner. “The pope has chosen a name that we’ve had in our lives every day. It’s a name we’ll always remember.”

School administrators removed the figurine of John Paul II that had been displayed in a glass case since his death and replaced it with a photo of the new pope in his red cardinal robes. Although the congregation was divided over whether the new pope’s conservative views are what the church needs now, they were thrilled that their parish shared a name with the leader of the flock.

“Let’s give applause to the new pope,” said Father Anthony Palos at a half-full 8 a.m. service. “He chose the name Benedict, and here at St. Benedict, we are happy.” The cavernous room filled with clapping.

“Let him be strong as he embarks on his mission,” Palos said as he asked congregants to pray for the new pope. “That he may be a reconciler of nations and a face for peace and unity in the world.”

“Lord, hear our prayers,” the congregation responded.

Like many parishioners, Maria T. Barajas said she was surprised by the new pope’s chosen name and confessed to knowing only a little about St. Benedict or the earlier popes named Benedict.

“Yesterday morning, I was getting on a plane from Guadalajara,” she said. “Another passenger told me. I was very happy. Now I want to know more about the Benedictine tradition.”

Barajas, who has attended this church for about 25 years, said she wished she knew more about Pope Benedict XVI but was pleased that the cardinals picked a man who had been close to John Paul.

“His way of thinking is very much the same as John Paul,” she said. “I think a lot of people want to accommodate our faith to what’s modern. I agree with John Paul -- not allowing priests to get married, women priests, divorce or abortion. All of them are fundamental to our faith.”

Others at St. Benedict also expressed admiration for John Paul II but said they hoped the new pope might be open to some change.

“They’re saying he’s not open to the idea of women entering the priesthood,” said Deanne Ysais, who teaches kindergarten at the school. “I’m hoping he might allow it because there’s a shortage of priests, especially American priests, in our parishes.”

She also expressed dismay at the way the Vatican was handling the sex abuse scandals involving priests.

“Hopefully they’ll address that,” she said. “It’s tainting America’s reputation.”

The congregation and the school followed the developing stories of John Paul’s declining health and the election of his successor with interest. Pictures of Pope John Paul II -- or Papa Juan Pablo II, as he was known to Spanish-speaking parishioners -- were taped up in several hallways.

Seventh-graders tacked up notes thanking John Paul for serving the people and asking God to bring John Paul to his embrace. Students also learned about the conclave in religion class and prayed at morning assemblies for the Holy Spirit to guide cardinals, school officials said.

On Tuesday, the principal announced over the school’s loudspeaker that a new pope had been elected and asked teachers to turn on their television sets. Students watched the white smoke curl from the chimney at St. Peter’s Basilica. They clapped when Ratzinger announced he was taking the name Benedict XVI.

“We feel very honored,” said Vice Principal George Lozano, who has worked at the 600-student school since 1986. “I think the name will make students more interested because they can feel like part of the whole process.”

Lozano said Benedict XVI’s choice of a name made it easier for the school to teach students about the new pope.

“On St. Benedict’s Day, every year, we celebrate,” he said. “This year, we’ll make it hand-in-hand with honoring the new pope.”