UK Welcomes Election of new Pope

 

British politicians and religious leaders have welcomed the election of Jorge Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as the new Pope.

David Cameron said it was a "momentous day" for Catholics around the world.
Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, said the election was a moment of "great joy".
And the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said he looked forward to working with Pope Francis.

Cardinal Bergoglio, who will be known as Pope Francis, was elected pontiff on the fifth ballot on Wednesday in the papal conclave in Rome.
The 76-year old is the first pontiff to come from Latin America and his election follows the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI last month.
'Inspired choice' The Catholic Church in England and Wales issued a statement on behalf of Archbishop Nichols welcoming the election of Pope Francis, in which he expressed his "great joy".
"As he begins his new apostolic ministry, as the Bishop of Rome and shepherd of the universal Church, Pope Francis I may be assured of the prayers and loving support of the Catholic community throughout England and Wales," he added.
His predecessor Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor said the Church had been "very blessed".
Describing Pope Francis as a "humble, spiritual and very intelligent" man with an instinctive feel for the poor, Cardinal Murphy O'Connor said his election "may have been a surprise" but it was an "inspired choice".
"He will bring a new kind of style to the Catholic Church," he said. "His own simplicity of life will be a great example to the whole world."
The election of a Pope from Latin America, he added, reflected the fact that the Catholic Church "was a global Church in a way that it has never been before" and "this man understands that".
Kevin Flaherty, editor of the Catholic Times, said: "He travels by bus, visits the poor, lives simply and even cooks his own meals.
"In choosing the name Francis - after St Francis of Assisi - 'Fr Jorge', as the people still call him, obviously wants to continue to live simply and humbly.
"As a man of prayer, both qualities will bring a different style of leadership to the papacy, and inject a much-needed spirituality to the Catholic Church in the modern world."
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, of Glasgow, president of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said: "Given the pre-conclave situation, and the absence of a single dominant figure, I can only see this quick result as God's work."
'Bonds of understanding' Archbishop Welby, the Anglican primate of All England, said the choice of a new pontiff was of "great significance to Christians everywhere, not least Anglicans".
"We wish Pope Francis every blessing in the enormous responsibilities that he has assumed on behalf of Roman Catholics around the world.

 

Archbishop Tartaglia said he could only see the speedy result as God's work

"We have long since recognised and often reaffirmed that our churches hold a special place for one another. I look forward to meeting Pope Francis, and to walking and working together to build on the consistent legacy of our predecessors."
He added: "Pope Francis is well known as a compassionate pastor of real stature who has served the poor in Latin America, and whose simplicity and holiness of life is remarkable. He is an evangelist, sharing the love of Christ which he himself knows."
The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said he hoped Pope Francis would "bring an ecumenical perspective to the role, a desire to work with Christians of all traditions and a goodwill to people of all faiths".
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond offered Pope Francis his "warmest congratulations".
"I wish him well in his time in the Papacy, and his first message as Pope - urging greater bonds of understanding and co-operation among peoples and nations - is one that should resonate around the globe."