Statement of
Archbishop
 Joseph A. Fiorenza

     The Chair of Peter is no longer vacant.  I have greeted the election of our new Pope, Benedict XVI, with gratitude to God for giving the Church a worthy successor to Pope John Paul II.  Our new Holy Father has the needed qualities of mind and heart to be the Supreme Pastor of the Catholic Church.  As a former diocesan bishop and a seasoned member of the Roman Curia, he understands very well the challenges facing the Church on the pastoral level and in a highly secularized and consumeristic world.
     My experience of him as the Prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith is very positive.  For six years as vice-president and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops I met with him two or three times a year.  He has the mind of a great theologian and the heart of a true pastor.  He always wanted to clearly understand our thoughts and opinions.  His response to us was always profound, very clear, and pastoral.
     There is no doubt that he will continue to foster ecumenical and interfaith dialogue.  In the spirit of the recent Popes he will be an apostle for peace and an ardent defender of the rights of the poor to a just share of the resources of the world.
     I am not sure he will travel as much as Pope John Paul II, but he will be an evangelist to the world, teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.  The Church and humanity will be very well served by Benedict XVI.  Please pray for our new Holy Father.