The new Pope

With deep joy I offer Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger my warm congratulations and most fervent good wishes on his election to the Papacy.

Joseph Ratzinger is a man rich in spiritual passion, humility, self-denial and love for the cause of God and of man.

As Benedict XVI, he brings to the Papacy a brilliant philosophical and, in particular, theological mind that has endearingly embraced a vision of broad spiritual and ecclesial horizons: personal holiness extended to the supreme sacrifice, missionary outreach combined with constant concern for unity, the necessary integration of spiritual charism and institutional ministry.

His episcopal motto, "Co-worker of the Truth", has guided him in his tireless and uncompromising efforts aimed at defending and promoting the Catholic faith and its morals against modern errors in an age in which the Church has suffered unprecedented persecutions and martyrdom.

The new Pope has also worked to encourage studies aimed at increasing knowledge of the faith so that the new problems arising from the progress of science and civilisation can be answered in the light of the Word of God.

The aim for which he has always striven has been to serve the truth, seek to know it ever more thoroughly and make it ever more widely known.

May the Lord lavish His choicest heavenly reward upon him!