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Like their compatriots across the globe, many Utah Catholics shared the excitement when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope.

"It's a wonderful day for us, a sign of our unity and gives us a sense of direction in our lives as Catholics," said Bishop George H. Niederauer, leader of Utah's 200,000 Catholics. "He has now taken the place of Pope John Paul II, and our prayers are with him as he asked us to be."

The Rev. Erik Richtsteig, pastor of St. James Church in Ogden, was thrilled with Ratzinger's election - and not just because he shares the new pope's German ancestry.

"He's a brilliant theologian," said Richtsteig, who has been reading Ratzinger's books for years. "It's a superb choice. You can tell the Holy Spirit was involved there. He picked us the best pope for our time."

News of the white smoke and tolling bells brought classroom discussion to a standstill at Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City as students and teachers awaited word about the pope.

"It's such a big change," said Joan Jensen, chairwoman of the school's theology department. "Some kids were concerned that no one can replace John Paul II. It's something none of them have ever experienced."

Other Utahns were willing to withhold judgment on Ratzinger's leadership.

"I must admit I was hoping for someone from the developing world," said Dee Rowland, director of the Peace and Justice Commission for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. "But the church will go on no matter what."

And it's likely to continue in much the way John Paul II would have wanted, most said.

"Cardinal Ratzinger was very supportive of the outreaches of the Holy Father, and I think as Benedict XVI he would do that, too," Niederauer said at a news conference.

He expects the new pontificate to give new energy to the Vatican's "ringing denunciation" of moral relativism and secularism sweeping the church - something that may not sit well with American Catholics.

"When Jesus in John 6 is very direct about the Eucharist, John tells us, 'many turned away and no longer walked with him.' So, if that can happen to Jesus, it can happen to his church," Niederauer said. "But we have to remember that even though there are 65 million American Catholics, we are only 6 percent of the universal church . . . and that 6 percent is such a low figure, it's even a good mortgage rate."

Glenn Olsen, a history professor at the University of Utah and a Catholic, predicts Pope Benedict XVI will have a quieter papacy and will travel less than John Paul II.

"Obviously, there was a bit of the actor in John Paul II," Olsen said. "It would be hard seeing [Ratzinger] play the kind of charismatic role that John Paul II had."

Ratzinger, among the brightest and most learned of the cardinals, has published 20 books and speaks four languages, Olsen said. His 24 years in Vatican leadership will serve him well in administering the church.

"He will be very clear about where he and the church stand. I'm not sure how that translates into concrete activity," Olsen said. "I don't think he has a trace of pride or egoism in the normal sense of the word. He has had the next most difficult job for 20 years without complaint. He has taken a lot of criticism. He doesn't strike back."

While some Utah Catholics are hesitant to judge their new leader on the basis of his past, younger Catholics may be more impatient for change.

Andy Scott, a sophomore at Judge, wants to see women priests. "Women can teach the message of God just as well as men," said Scott, whose mother teaches theology at Judge.

Fellow sophomore Robbie Webber, a self-described "conservative," is happy with Benedict but worries about the priest shortage and abuse scandal.

"I like what Pope John Paul did with other churches," Webber said. "I hope this one can do the same."

For the Rev. Samuel Dinsdale, pastor at St. Therese Church in Midvale, the change will be felt immediately.

For the first time, Dinsdale said, he would ask the blessings for Pope Benedict, not John Paul, at Tuesday evening Mass.

Dinsdale, who was ordained in 2003, met Ratzinger while studying for the priesthood at a northern California seminary. The future pope spoke to the candidates and then greeted them individually.

"It was a great honor, even then. He was the pope's right-hand man," Dinsdale recalled. "I wish I would have gotten my picture taken with him."

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Tribune staffers Kristen Moulton and Leon D'Souza contributed to this report.

LDS Statement on Pope

In a statement issued Tuesday, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said: "We join with men and women of goodwill everywhere in congratulating Cardinal Ratzinger on his election as Pope Benedict XVI.

"We wish for him and his many followers continuing progress in furthering the cause of peace among the nations, and the alleviation of poverty and distress throughout the world."