The qualities of a new Pope - according to Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI in his last public Mass during Ash Wednesday ceremony yesterday (Getty Images)

In this hectic week since Benedict XVI announced his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI has indicated what qualities the new Pontiff should have.

Benedict XVI  during this week's Audience

They are:

a)  both strength of mind and body are necessary (text of Benedict XVI's resignation);

b) a unifying figure - “I am thinking in particular of the sins against the unity of the church, of the divisions in the body of the church.” (Ash Wednesday Mass);

c) has to overcome “individualism” and “rivalry,” saying they were only for those “who have distanced themselves from the faith.” (Ash Wednesday Mass).

V: Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto.

R: Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius.

V: Fiat manus tua super virum dexterae tuae

R: Et super filium hominis quem confirmasti tibi

Oremus. Deus, ómnium fidélium pastor et rector, fámulum tuum Benedíctum, quem pastórem Ecclésiæ tuæ præésse voluísti, propítius réspice: da ei, quæesumus, verbo et exémplo, quibus præest, profícere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi crédito, pervéniat sempitérnam. Per Christum, Dóminum nostrum. Amen.