Pope's personal tone contrasts with his stiff, strident image

Vatican City, April. 23 Pope Benedict XVI said today he hopes to continue the openness with the media fostered by his predecessor and thanked journalists for their coverage during the "historically important" events during the papal transition.

"I hope to follow this dialogue with you and I share, as Pope John Paul II observed concerning the faith, the development of social communications," the Pontiff told more than 1,000 members of the media and pilgrims in his first appearance in the vast Vatican hall used for weekly general audiences.

Benedict noted that John Paul had been "a great artisan" of an "open and sincere" dialogue with the media that was started by the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s. He noted that the media in the modern age has the capacity to reach "the whole of humanity."

"Thanks to all of you, this historically important ecclesiastical events have had worldwide coverage. I know how hard you have worked, far away from your homes and families for long hours and in sometimes difficult conditions. I am aware of this dedication with which you have accomplished this demanding task," said the Pontiff.

The session, which lasted about 15 minutes, ended without the Pope taking any questions. However, Vatican officials had said in recent days that he likely wouldn't take questions and that the meeting was more an audience to greet journalists than a press conference.