VATICAN CITY, April 20: Pope Benedict XVI moved swiftly on the first day of his reign on Wednesday to allay fears of a rigid, authoritarian papacy, saying he would work for dialogue both within the Church and with other faiths. In his first Mass since his election, German Joseph Ratzinger, 78, made an early effort to soften his image and deflect concerns aroused by his past as a tough doctrinal enforcer who harshly dismissed other Christian denominations.

The new pope said he felt “inadequacy and human turmoil” at his election, a choice that was welcomed by conservatives but caused consternation among Church reformers.

“I welcome everybody with simplicity and love to assure them that the Church wants to continue in open and sincere dialogue with them, in search of the true good of man and society,” he said at the Mass with the red-hatted cardinals who elected him.

Sitting in front of Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel where he was elected, and dressed in white and gold vestments, the pontiff said he felt his predecessor, John Paul, was guiding him and holding his hand.

“I will spare no effort and commitment to continue the promising dialogue with other civilizations that was started by my venerable predecessors,” Benedict said. Jewish and Muslim leaders have already called for contacts to continue.

The election, in one of the swiftest conclaves for a century, was widely seen as reflecting the cardinals’ determination for continuity with John Paul’s stern rule.

“A Warrior to Challenge Modernity,” said Italy’s La Repubblica daily newspaper on its front page.

The strict defender of Catholic orthodoxy for 23 years, Joseph Ratzinger made clear in recent speeches that he would brook no dissent and would block debate on issues such as women priests, priestly celibacy, abortion and homosexuality.

CONCERN IN TURKEY: Newspapers in Turkey expressed concern that the new Pope’s past opposition to Ankara joining the European Union because it is a Muslim nation could raise fresh obstacles to membership.

The election of one of John Paul’s closest aides was greeted by a shower of congratulations from world leaders and delight from conservatives, but with deep disappointment among those who hoped for reform in the Catholic Church.

South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu called Benedict a “rigid conservative”.

“We would have hoped for someone more open to the more recent developments in the world, the whole question of the ministry of women and a more reasonable position with regard to condoms and HIV/AIDS,” Desmond Tutu said.

There was also negative reaction from Protestants still smarting from a document written by Ratzinger in 2000 that dismissed their denominations as “not proper churches”.

But Israelis and Jewish groups praised Benedict, saying he had atoned for his membership in Hitler Youth.—Reuters