Which Way, L.A.?

Pope Benedict XVI and Los Angeles

Former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is now Benedict XVI, the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first German Pope since the 11th Century. He was called the "enforcer" of conservative doctrine for the late John Paul II, a hard-liner on moral issues that have divided Catholics in Europe and the United States. With only three of the 115 cardinals who voted today in the Sistine Chapel not appointed by the late Pope John Paul II, commentators say it's no surprise that they chose 78-year old Ratzinger as John Paul's successor. The signal from the conclave is that this is no time for change. We talk to Catholics and former Catholics here in Los Angeles, which is headquarters for America's largest Roman Catholic Archdiocese. Making News: Fleishman Hillard Settlement LA City attorney Rocky Delgadillo announced a settlement today with Fleischman-Hillard, the public relations firm accused of overbilling by City Controller Laura Chick. Amanda Bronstad, who is reporting the story for the Los Angeles Business Journal, has more on the settlement as well as its political implications for Mayor Hahn, Delgadillo and Antonio Villaraigosa.