Pope Benedict XVI congratulates new Italian president-elect
(May 12, 2006) : Pope Benedict XVI sent on Thursday a message of congratulations to
Italy's newly elected President Giorgio Napolitano. The telegram read: "I wish to
convey a respectful expression of best wishes for your election as president of the
Republic of Italy, and while I hope that you may exercise that exalted duty with all
success, I invoke upon your person constant divine assistance for an illuminated and
effective action in promoting the common good in line with the authentic human and
Christian values that constitute the splendid heritage of the Italian people. It is
with these sentiments that I send, to you and to the entire dear nation of Italy,
an apostolic blessing.” Napolitano won the presidency on May 10, on the 4th ballot
of a bitterly disputed parliamentary contest. He will take office on May 15, after
the formal resignation of current President Carlo Ciampi. The 80-year-old Napolitano
will be the 11th president of the Italian republic, and the first whose political
roots are in the Communist Party.