The 265th Successor of Peter

Great joy and prayers for Pope Francis. The European Churches’ words a few hours after the announcement. Italy. In a statement, the secretary general of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Monsignor Mariano Crociata, conveyed "the joy and gratitude of the episcopate and the whole of the Italian Church". "In this very emotional moment we are once more reminded of the parting words of retired Pope Benedict XVI, when, quoting Romano Guardini he said that the Church ‘is not an institution devised and built at table, but a living reality". "A special bond unites our conference to the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome and our primate, and makes us feel we are privileged witnesses of the mission of the pope", said Monsignor Crociata".England and Wales, Scotland. Archbishop Vincent Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales welcomed with "great joy" the news of the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis I, and assured the "unfailing prayer" of the Catholics of England and Wales. "As he begins his new Apostolic ministry, as the Bishop of Rome and Shepherd of the universal Church, Pope Francis may be assured of the prayers and loving support of the Catholic community throughout England and Wales" archbishop Nichols said. From Scotland, feelings of great joy are coupled by feelings of confidence, for "Peter is with us again". "We missed having a Pope", said the archbishop of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia, president of the Scottish Bishops’ Conference and apostolic administrator of the diocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh after the resignation of cardinal Keith O’Brien. "Catholics feel the need for Peter. We now have Peter back. The new Pope will give us joy and confidence", he added. "I was surprised that the conclave was so quick", remarked Msgr. Tartaglia. "Given the pre-Conclave situation, and the absence of a single dominant figure, I can only see this quick result as God’s work". Germany. For German Catholic bishops the election of Pope Bergoglio is a sign of continuity: "With pope Francis I the Church has been given a leader who will recover the spiritual thrust of pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II", declared in Freiburg monsignor Robert Zollitsch, president of the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) in a statement reported by the German Catholic portal "katholisch.de". "At the same time", he continued, "the new Pope will infuse his personal contribution", characterised by "a humble demeanour and powerful sermons. He is known for his visits to hospitalised patients and to detainees during important festivities. Bergoglio is also committed for reconciliation between all social groups in Argentina, after the crimes of dictatorship". The president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZDK) Alois Glück sees in the election of pope Francis "a great sign of hope". "It’s a programmatic sign of a Church that is close to the poor", a sign that was confirmed by the choice of his name, Glück told press agency DPA. For the ZDK president the choice of a surprise candidate shows that "many cardinals feel the need for change. He isn’t a candidate of centralism", he added. "The choice of a non-European candidate shows that Europe is no longer at the centre and that living conditions in other continents come first".Switzerland. The Swiss Bishops’ Conference (CVS) has welcomed the election of pope Francis with "living joy", is written in the statement by Monsignor Markus Büchel, CVS president. Büchel said that already "during the intense and sincere discussions in the pre-conclave" emerged the "complex situation of the Catholic Church and the tasks that lie ahead. The Church faces major challenges. The new Bishop of Rome is called to assume a very arduous ministry. He will need the gift of perception and of reading the signs of the times, a sharp sensitivity of the legitimate diversities of the local Churches to make them thrive with charisma in communion with the universal Church". The Swiss bishops wished the new Pontiff "wisdom and strength" and assured their prayers. "We shall do our best to offer our co-responsibility for the local and universal Church, in union with world bishops" said the Swiss bishops, reiterating their commitment to "consolidate faith within the Church in Switzerland".