Zuma congratulates Pope Francis
2013-03-19 14:28
Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma congratulated Pope
Francis on Tuesday on his election as supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church.
"We would like to wish his holiness a long and
blessed pontificate, to defend and promote the fundamental values of peace,
solidarity and human dignity," Zuma said in a statement.
Zuma said Pope Francis assumed leadership at a critical
time, when religious leaders had to face up to poverty and under-development
around the world.
"We also share the conviction that we can only
resolve the interconnected challenges of today's world through dialogue.
"I look forward to continuing our co-operation on
issues of international importance, such as Africa and its development, and to
strengthen the special relationship between South Africa and the Holy
See."
Pope Francis was elected the new head of the Roman
Catholic Church on 13 March after 85-year-old Pope Benedict XVI stepped down
last month, citing his declining health.
He became the first pope in more than 600 years to
resign.
On Tuesday world leaders flew in for Pope Francis's
inauguration mass in St Peter's Square, where he received the formal symbols of
papal power.
- SAPA
