Pope congratulates new US President

(Jan.21, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI offered cordial wishes and the assurance of his prayers to new U.S. President Barack Obama in a telegram sent on Tuesday before the presidential inauguration. “May Almighty God grant you unfailing wisdom and strength in the exercise of you high responsibilities. Under your leadership, may the American people continue to find in their impressive religious and political heritage, the spiritual values and ethical principles needed to cooperate in the building of a truly just and free society,” said the Papal telegram. The text was made public a few hours before Obama was to be sworn in as the 44^th president of the United States. “Such a society,” continued the papal telegram, “must be marked by respect for the dignity, equality and rights of each of its members, especially the poor, the outcaste and those who have no voice.” Stating that so many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world yearn for liberation from the scourge of poverty, hunger and violence, Pope Benedict said he was praying that Obama keep his resolve to promote understanding, cooperation and peace among nations. The Pope ended his wishes with a blessing of joy and peace for the new president, for Obama’s family and for all the American people