Casino City Times, 4/15/05: "Odds on Germany's Joseph Ratzinger, who prior to Pope John Paul's death was the number four choice, have shortened to 4-1 and France's Jean-Marie Lustiger has come from nowhere to join him at the top of the list."

New York Times: 4/17/05: "There was never doubt that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican's hard-line defender of the faith, would have a strong hand in selecting the next pope. But in the days of prayer and politics before the conclave, which begins on Monday, he has emerged as perhaps the surprise central figure."

Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany is New Pope [AP/Y! News]
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [Wikipedia]

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