Pope thanks cardinals for support
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VATICAN CITY (CNN) -- As he prepares for his inauguration Mass on Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his gratitude to his "venerated cardinal brothers" for electing him to head the Roman Catholic Church and asked for their support during his reign.
"It is an act of trust that gives encouragement to take off into this new mission with more serenity, because I am able to count, other than on the indispensable help of God, also on your generous collaboration," the pope told the College of Cardinals on Friday in a speech at the Apostolic Palace's Clementine Hall.
"I ask you, do not let me do without your support."
Wearing white papal robes and looking relaxed, but acknowledging "a sense of human impotence in the face of the work that awaits me," Benedict XVI greeted each cardinal individually, occasionally walking over to talk with those too frail to come to him.
He gave a special welcome to the cardinals who, because of their age or because of illness, did not participate in the conclave that elected him to the papacy on Tuesday.
Benedict XVI, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, served as dean of the College of Cardinals prior to his ascension. He thanked members of the college for "the active collaboration that they gave to running of the church during the vacancy of the Holy See."
And he spoke of his predecessors, Popes John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I and most recently John Paul II, who died on April 2 at the age of 84, ending his 26-year reign.
John Paul II's "testimony in the past days, more than ever, sustained us," Benedict XVI said, adding that his presence is still felt.
Under John Paul II, Ratzinger, 78, served as a strict enforcer of the pope's staunchly traditional doctrine on issues including divorce, birth control and stem-cell research -- the "top doctrinal policeman," according to CNN Vatican Analyst John Allen, who has written a biography on Ratzinger.
The pope told the cardinals that as they depart the Vatican to return to their respective regions, "spiritually, we will remain united in the faith and love of the Lord. Your spiritual closeness, your illuminated advice, your cooperation will be a gift for which I will always recognize and a stimulus to take to conclusion the mandate that you have entrusted me with, in total faith and dedication."
Although he has been pontiff only a few days, Benedict XVI wasted no time in reaching out to those of other faiths -- one of his stated priorities.
On Thursday, he sent a message to Chief Rabbi Riccardo Segni of Rome's Jewish community, expressing his interest in continuing the dialogue with the community that began under John Paul II.
"I confide in the help of the highest for continuing the dialogue and reinforce the collaboration with the sons and daughters of the Jewish people," the message said.
Preparations were under way for Benedict XVI's inaugural Mass at the Vatican on Sunday. On Monday, the Vatican said, he will meet with Germany pilgrims who traveled to Rome for the Mass.
