DETROIT -- Roman Catholics in Michigan prayed Tuesday for German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger following his election as pope and noted that the popularity of his predecessor, John Paul II, poses a challenge for him.

Neal Kotlarek, 28, who manages a Catholic bookstore in downtown Detroit, said he was surprised that the selection process went so quickly and by the choice of Ratzinger since he expected the next pope to be from South America or Africa.

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"He's got his work cut out for him, because people really loved John Paul," said Kotlarek, who put one of Ratzinger's books in a store display following news of his election from Vatican City.

Ratzinger, the church's leading hard-liner, was elected pope in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Benedict XVI and called himself "a simple, humble worker."

Michigan Catholic Conference president and chief executive Sister Monica Kostielney said in a statement that Ratzinger's writings "have been helpful toward an understanding of the Biblical basis for justice."

"We offer our prayers that Pope Benedict XVI will lead the Church in unity toward universal peace and salvation," she added.

Tuesday's announcement was a pleasant surprise for friends and former colleagues who gathered for the funeral of Rev. John West, a pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington. West played an important role in keeping Local 4 viewers informed of the events surrounding the death of Pope John Paul II.

"Bishop (Walter) Hurley goes, 'We have a new pope,' and everyone just gasped and broke out clapping," said Kate Kelly, who attended West's funeral service at Our Lady of Sorrows.

Mary Eckert, who also attended the funeral service, said her hope for the new pope was "that he will be able to embrace the differences of the entire world, all the different continents and their needs."

At Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit, workers on Tuesday afternoon took down black bunting from the doors that was hung following the death of John Paul II earlier this month. In its place appeared yellow and white bunting.

Detroit Archdiocese Releases Prayer For New Pope

The Archdiocese of Detroit has issued a prayer in honor of the newly selected pope Tuesday.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, of Germany, was elected the new pope in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI.

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Detroit's Cardinal Adam Maida was among the more than 100 men in the conclave who selected the new pope.

Maida said earlier this month that he hoped the next pontiff would be as strong a communicator and leader as was Pope John Paul II, his longtime friend.