Vatican, world leaders hail new Pope Francis I

Pope Francis flanked by Monsignor Guido Marini, master of liturgical ceremonies, waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. AP PHOTO/ANDREW MEDICHINI

VATICAN CITY—The Vatican on Wednesday hailed the “courage” of cardinals in electing the first Latin American pope at an historic conclave in the Sistine Chapel.

The cardinals “had the courage of crossing the Ocean and widening the perspective of the Church,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters.

Obama wishes

US President Obama offered ‘warm wishes’ to the first pope from the Americas.

UN leader Ban Ki-Moon on Wednesday called on the new pope, Francis I, to build on efforts to improve relations between the world’s different religions.

In a statement welcoming the election of the new pontiff, Ban said he was certain that Francis I would “build on the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, in the promotion of inter-faith dialogue.”

The UN secretary general offered his “heartfelt congratulations” to the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina.

“I look forward to continuing cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See, under the wise leadership of His Holiness Pope Francis,” he said.

Ban said the United Nations and the Roman Catholic Church shared the “common goals” of promoting peace, social justice and human rights, and the eradication of poverty and hunger.

“We also share the conviction that we can only resolve the interconnected challenges of today’s world through dialogue.

“I am certain that his holiness will continue to build on the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, in the promotion of inter-faith dialogue which is at the heart of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative.”

The Alliance of Civilizations is a UN-led effort that aims to ease tensions between the western and Islamic worlds.

EU congratulations

The European Union offered its “sincere congratulations” Wednesday to the newly elected Pope Francis I of Argentina, urging him to promote peace, solidarity and human dignity in a rapidly changing world.

“On behalf of the European Union, we convey our sincere congratulations on your election,” EU President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso said in a joint statement after Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named as the church’s first Latin American pontiff.

“We wish you a long and blessed Pontificate, which will allow your Holiness and the Catholic Church to defend and promote the fundamental values of peace, solidarity and human dignity,” they said.

“They are essential signposts in a world facing numerous challenges and undergoing deep change.

“We are convinced that your Holiness will continue to further with determination and strength the work of your predecessors by bringing the world’s people and religions closer together.”

From British PM

“A momentous day for the 1.2bn Catholics around the world as His Holiness Pope Francis I is appointed the 266th Bishop of Rome,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a message posted on Twitter.

Bergoglio, 76, was named as leader of some 1.2 billion Catholics after five rounds of voting in the Vatican—one more than when predecessor Benedict XVI was elected in 2005.

Bergoglio is the 266th pope in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history.—With AP