As the only 'ist named after a Catholic Saint, we're going to report that yes, folks, there's a new pope in town! White smoke hath issued forth from the conclave of Cardinals, meaning that after just two days of deliberation, a pope has been elected. SFist is sad that the new pope isn't named Francisco and isn't from Assisi (or, for that matter, from here in San Francisco) -- he's Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and he's from Germany.

With the election of a second non-Italian Pope in a row, we're hoping that this kind of "outside the box" thinking bodes well for the heavenly reign of Pope Benedict XVI, and that he will champion causes like justice for the poor, rail against world leaders who would lead their nations into war, and take a long look at the questions of contraception, acceptance of homosexuality and priestly celibacy. Though we're not holding our breath, as Cardinal Ratzinger has been known for his efforts, in the words of the Beeb, to "stamp out dissent and curb the 'wild excesses' of this more tolerant era."