Czech political leaders congratulate new Pope
Politicians and church dignitaries have welcomed the election of Jorge Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as Pope. President Milos Zeman sent the Pontiff a letter of congratulations and extended an official invitation for him to attend the 2013 celebrations marking the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of the Christian missionaries Cyril and Methodius to Great Moravia. Prime Minister Petr Necas said he had received the news of Pope Francis' election with genuine pleasure and wished him sound health and strength in facing the challenges ahead.
Church dignitaries praise result of conclave
Cardinal Dominik Duka said the choice of a pope from Latin America was a natural and right development in view of the prevalence of non-European Catholics in the world and the existing disproportion in their representation in the Church leadership. The Archbishop of Olomouc Jan Graubner suggested the election of the first non-European pope indicated a shift in the Roman Catholic Church to more openness and awareness of "what is important on a global scale". Cardinal Miloslav Vlk pointed out that the name Archbishop Bergoglio had chosen - evoking both St. Francis of Assisi and Francis Xavier - reflected his humble character. Church bells rang out around the Czech Republic on Wednesday evening in celebration of the new Pope.
based on text from Radio Prague - the international service of Czech Radio
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