Benedict says he prayed not to be elected Pope

Pope Benedict XVI today said he had prayed to God during the conclave not to be elected Pope, but that “evidently this time He didn’t listen to me”.

Benedict made the comments during an audience with German pilgrims, who gave a hero’s welcome to the first German Pope in centuries.

A smiling Benedict moved down lines of well-wishers, shaking the pilgrims’ hands and blessing a child given to him before taking his seat in the audience hall and starting his speech.