The identity of the new pope has been revealed. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been selected by the Vatican conclave as the new pope. He has chosen the name Pope Benedict XVI.

Ratzinger continues the tradition of European popes as he is a native of Germany. He was most recently the chief enforcer of church doctrine, a post he held for the past two decades. Most experts view him as a conservative.

Ratzinger is 78-years-old. His selection means that the cardinals were likely viewing this as a transitional papacy which will not last as long as John Paul II's 26 years in charge of the church.

The new pope just published a book, 'Values in the Times of Upheaval' which examines the besieged soul of Christian Europe. He is now the 265th Pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.