Delhi Archbishop lauds Pope Benedict XVI, calls him a man of “great theological and spiritual depth”

New Delhi – On the occasion of the election and the installation of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi Archdiocese has called the event an important chapter in the history of Church as “the election of the new Pope is not only a source of great joy and hope for Catholics, but also, it is an important event for the whole human family.”

“At the beginning of the third millennium, the Church is blessed with a deeper sense of the common humanity and with a shared sense of responsibility for a more just and peaceful world,” the archbishop said. “Pope Benedict XVI will play a critical part in this search, in engaging with people of all faiths in constructive dialogue about the joys and hopes, the challenges and the fears of the world.”

“I am of firm belief that the electors, who chose the Pope drew on their wisdom and their experience and made their choice after much prayer. I believe that their choice was guided by the Holy Spirit of God and that Pope Benedict XVI is God's choice,” he said.

“Pope Benedict XVI is a man of great theological and spiritual depth, linguistically talented, kindly of manner and of enormous pastoral and administrative experience,” he continued.

“He was of course very close to Pope John Paul, knew his mind, and collaborated very closely with him,” he added. “But he is his own man, and will bring his own gifts to the papacy, to the Church and the world.”

“The election of a Pope is a time of joy and hope for Catholics in India and around the world. I am sure that India’s Catholics and all people of goodwill in our country will join me in asking God's fullest blessings on our new Pope – his greatest title is perhaps the most simple, "Servant of the servants of God". May he indeed serve all peoples as Christ served and his holy predecessor Pope John Paul II,” the archbishop prayed.