World leaders greet New Pope

March 14, 2013: From all over the world, leaders are sending their congratulations to Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis on Wednesday night. He is the first pope from South America, and the first Jesuit pope as well.

U.S. President Barack Obama called Francis “a champion of the poor” and noted his Latin American roots. “As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day,” Obama said in a statement.
French President Francois Hollande extended his congratulations and wished the pontiff well as he faced the challenges of the “contemporary world.”
"The election of a pope from the 'new world' is an occasion of genuinely historic proportions," Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement.
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner congratulated the pontiff. "It is our desire that you have, in assuming the driving and guiding of the church, fruitful pastoral work of such great responsibilities in pursuit of the justice, the equality, the fraternity and the peace of humanity," she added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel wished him well "wholeheartedly." "Millions of believers in Germany and the world have waited for this moment," she said. "Their hopes now lie with the new pope."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Church of England, said the two churches each hold "a special place for one another."
"His election is also of great significance to Christians everywhere, not least among Anglicans." the Most Rev. Justin Welby said. "May the love of Christ unite us, and intensify our service in a genuine and fruitful ecumenism that can be a blessing for the body of Christ throughout the world."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a leading Muslim civil rights group based in Washington, offered its support.
In Asia, Father Raymond O'Toole, the Hong Kong-based secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences said, "It is great news to see that he's a very humble man, one who is dedicated to reach out to the poor, has a very simple lifestyle himself. Those things can be very, very positive for the Holy See."
The Syrian National Council, the Syrian opposition, congratulated Pope Francis and called on him to pay special consideration to the suffering of the Syrian people.
"Our people from all faith backgrounds have hope that His Holiness, The See of Peter, The Supreme Pontiff, with his message of peace and love, will pay a special attention to Syria, the cradle of love, peace and coexistence whose people are suffering from all kinds of blatant abuses and grave dangers."