when was pope benedict elected

Pope Benedict XVI was elected on April 19, 2005. He was elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II during a papal conclave and took the name Benedict XVI. His election occurred on the second day of the conclave, after four ballots. He was 78 years old at the time and his election was one of the fastest conclaves in history. The election was officially announced from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, with the traditional announcement "Habemus papam" ("We have a pope"). He celebrated his papal inauguration Mass on April 24, 2005.