“In a world beset by daunting challenges, such as the challenge of hunger and poverty, freedom and peace, the dignity of the person and the defence of life”, the new pontiff Benedict XVI “will be, after our beloved John Paul II, a sentinel of humanity, witness of God’s love for all people and the first servant of unity”, declared Archbishop Jean-Pierre Ricard, president of the French Bishops’ Conference, in welcoming the election of the new pope Benedict XVI. On behalf of all the bishops of France, he also thanked “with all his heart the land of Germany that has given one of her sons to Rome and to the whole world”.
