Romania” “

The Catholic Church of Romania has also expressed its joy for the election of the new Pope. In the period preceding the Conclave the faithful prayed in all the country’s churches, while Romanian television carried live coverage from Rome of the moments of the white smoke billowing from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel and […]

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France” “

“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 […]

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Holland” “

“Pope Benedict XVI will undoubtedly continue the same course followed by John Paul II to take still further forward the innovations of Vatican Council II, and to work for the Church at the service of the world”, declare the Dutch bishops in expressing their warm congratulations for the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as pope. […]

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United Kingdom” “

“A man of great spirituality, a wonde rful choice as Pontiff of the Catholic Church”, declared the Scottish cardinal Keith O’Brien, expressing all his joy after the election of Benedict XVI. Present as an elector at the Conclave, the cardinal expressed the hope that “the new Pope would work for peace in the world following […]

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benedict xvi" "

Italy ” “

“To the successor of the Prince of the Apostles we express filial devotion and pledge him the affection and constant support in prayer of all Italian Catholics”, declare the Italian bishops in a communiqué in which they thank “God for the gift made to the Church today in the form of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict […]

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Germany, joy and honour” “

A joy and an honour for all Germans: these are the most common feelings expressed by the highest civil and religious authorities of Germany on hearing the news that their distinguished compatriot, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, had been elected Pope by the 115 cardinals of all continents. Here are some immediate reactions. The good wishes of […]

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Cec: "there is no alternative to dialogue"” “

“As the Charta Oecumenica affirms, there is no alternative to dialogue”. That is the “heart” of the message that Keith Clements addresses to the new Pope on behalf of the Conference of European Churches, a fellowship that represents the Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and Old Catholic churches of Europe. “The cardinals who have elected him – […]

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Ccee: "proceeding towards full unity"” “

“In the joy of the Risen Lord and with profound gratitude we have welcomed your election as Vicar of Christ and our Pope”. So begins the letter of congratulations that the Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences (Ccee) has sent to Benedict XVI on the occasion of his election. The letter, signed by the president […]

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benedict xvi” “

Comece: “Europe close to the Pope’s heart” “We know that the well-being of Europe is very close to the Holy Father’s heart. Long before the start of his pontificate, he reflected on the concept and on the reality of Europe and has always taken a stance on its concrete challenges, for example on the development […]

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The winning card” “

After having qualified John Paul II, the adjective ‘conservative’, with everything narrow it comprises, has now been attributed to his successor, this time aggravated by a pejorative co-efficient: “hyper-conservative”. Once the first reaction of nervousness always caused by this kind of reduction of the mission of the Pope to politico-social debates (in which a person […]

di Michel Gitton" "France Catholique" "" "