In a news release dated today, the Associated Press reports:

Ratzinger, the oldest pope elected since Clement XII in 1730, clearly was chosen as a “transitional” pope, who would fulfill the unfinished business of John Paul’s quarter-century papacy yet not be another long-term pope.

I had wondered about that. An interim pope — how very interesting.

As an interim minister myself, I’d love to know how the new pope understands his role. Most of us interim ministers understand our role as helping a congregation mourn the previous minister, developing a new identity, and anticipating the future with zest. We interim ministers don’t try to carry on the pet projects of our immediate predecessor. Instead, we work to empower the congregation to take responsibility for its own health, wellbeing, and future success.

Somehow, I think this new interim pope is going to handle things a little differently than I would as an interim minister. However, if he’d like some advice, I’d be happy to share what wisdom I have gained as an interim. Have him call me at the office (just don’t give him my home number, please — waht with the time difference, I don’t need him calling me in the middle of the night).