Disappointment for Mexicans, joy for Iraq's Chaldeans

Dispatches from around the world:

• April 20, 2005 |Mexico City | 05:15 p.m. ET

Some Mexicans disappointed that pope not from region

As the bells rang at the Mexico City Cathedral to share the news of the election of Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday, many clapped profusely, but others voiced frustration that a candidate from the region had not been picked to replace John Paul II.

Talking to people out in the streets and churches, many said it was God's decision after all and they had to accept it. Others said they already loved the new pope and were hoping to see him in Mexico very soon.

"I hope he comes soon to visit us, so we can get to know him better,” said Maria Eugenia Guerrero, who quickly went to the basilica of Guadalupe as soon as she heard the news. ”We are proud of him and this announcement has made me very happy.”

President Vicente Fox interrupted a visit to the northern state of Sonora to quickly offer his congratulations and extended an open invitation to visit Mexico soon.

But, for many others, Benedict XVI is seen as a conservative pope, too old and old fashioned to understand the needs of our times.

"I don't think he cares about Latin-Americans at all," said Ana Paula Blanco, who almost cried when she heard the news because she doesn't believe Latin America is important to the new pontiff.

"He is a conservative pope," said Stephanie Brewster, voicing skepticism about Ratzinger. "The world we live nowadays requires an open mind to process all the changes we are going through."

Mexicans had a very intense relationship with the late John Paul II. He visited Mexico five times during his papacy and it was his first destination overseas as a pope. He also had a devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe — Mexico's patron saint.

From Laura Saravia, NBC News' Mexico City Bureau Chief.

• April 20, 2005 |Baghdad | 03:40 p.m. ET

Iraqis Catholics pray amid fear

Babak Behnam

Amid grim reports in Iraq of bodies floating in the Tigris River, Archbishop Sleiman began his Mass with a prayer for Pope Benedict XVI.

In the Central Church behind the National Theatre the 4:30 p.m. service attracted a handful of worshippers. "This election has been inspired by the holy spirit so for me and all the church it is a gift from God himself," he said.

Baghdad has seen the exodus of the mostly Chaldean Catholics, once 700,000 strong, fleeing the fear of sectarian violence. But the archbishop and his nuns still keep to their schedule.

On Wednesday, none of his parishioners wanted to talk, always weary of strangers in their midst. The church has not been spared in the violence that has gripped the capital and the country since the push to oust Saddam Hussein from power more than two years ago. 

But Sleiman says they are pleased with the new pope. "I think here in Iraq they are glad and they are thankful to God because it is important to have a pastor and during these two weeks we were without a father, like orphans."

And the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, has already made a good impression. "He has been searching for the truth when he was teaching. He is a very great professor, he is a great writer,” Sleiman said.

The archbishop is under no illusion about the trials and tribulations of his flock. "We hope he will continue to affirm moral values and the dialogue between religions for peace for all of humanity.”

The few young people came up and took their communion from the Archbishop. "I hope he will be able to give answers to the young people who are also seeking the meaning in their lives," he said.

As they returned to their pews for their moment of solitude and prayer, tears were streaming down their faces. In Iraq it is hard to know if they were out of happiness or fear.

• April 20,  2005 | Havana | 03:35 p.m. ET

Cuban Catholics disappointed

Mary Murray

Cuban Catholics expressed some disappointment with the selection of a European cardinal. Many had been praying that the new pontiff would be chosen from Latin America, known as the "Catholic Continent" with as many as 450 million of the world’s 1.1. billion Roman Catholics.

There was even some hope among Cuban Catholics that their cardinal, Jaime Ortega, would be elected the next pontiff even though he was considered a dark horse candidate.

“The pope should be from our region. The church needs to pay more attention to our problems,” said Caridad Cabrera, a hairdresser.

Pedro Soto, an air traffic controller, agreed. “The new pontiff should stay mindful of problems afflicting the developing world — poverty, disease, unemployment.”

Aurelio Alonso, researcher from Havana’s Center for Socio-Religious Studies, argued that the church missed an opportunity to represent its base by choosing a conservative. “Latin America is changing and this election shows a church turning its back on these changes.”

Others here continued to mourn the loss of Pope John Paul II. “We had a special bond with the late pope. He visited us in our darkness and lifted our hearts,” said Eliza Ortega, a special education teacher who joined the church after his 1998 historic visit to the island.

Rosa Alvarez, a housewife "rejoiced" in the news of a new pope but worried that "it will be hard for him to follow in John Paul's footsteps. He was a man who fought to fix the world."

At the same time, the state-owned media continued its unprecedented coverage of Vatican events.

As church bells rang across the island announcing the election of a new pope, government television and radio carried the news live. Granma, the official newspaper of Cuba’s Communist Party, ran a story highlighting the Cardinal Ratzinger’s “rapid election” and glossing over his biography by just listing his religious credentials.

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