Germany's Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born in 1927 at Bavaria, Germany Following is the text of Pope Benedict XVI's first address to the world after being elected as pontiff on Tuesday. The new Pope delivered the address in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. (Translated by Reuters)

"Dear brothers and sisters,

After the Great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble worker in the Lord's vineyard.

I am comforted by the fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with insufficient instruments. And above all, I entrust myself to your prayers.

With the joy of the risen Lord and confidence in his constant help, we will go forward. The Lord will help us and Mary his most holy mother will be alongside us.

Thank you."


Career Highlights:
Ordained in 1951.
Participated in the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.
Appointed bishop of Munich in 1977.
Elevated to cardinal in 1977.
Appointed head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981.

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