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.