Smoke screen blots news of pope on Web

When it comes to matters of God, the human editors over at Wikipedia have bested the software sentinels of Google News.

Early Tuesday, German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the next pope, an historic event that is marked at the Vatican by white smoke emanating from a chimney. But shortly after the announcement, the two top headlines at Google News could have had you confused. The top story: "Cardinals Continue Conclave After Second Inconclusive Ballot," by the New York Times, was followed by "Cardinals Elect New Pope," by the Guardian.

Time is of the essence on breaking news stories, but in this case, only repeatedly refreshing Google News could bring clarity. That, or readers click away with the wrong information.

Meanwhile, over at Wikipedia, the encyclopedic Web site that anyone can edit, news of the new pope, who has chosen to call himself Pope Benedict XVI, was available almost immediately, complete with a biography of Ratzinger and a history of the papacy. It also warned readers of fast or coming changes: "This article or section contains references to a current or ongoing event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses."