IRISH REACTION: Irish reaction to the election of Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI was led last night by President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
In a message to the new pontiff, Mrs McAleese said: "The world responded in grief and wonder to the passing of John Paul II. The election of his successor became the concern of very many people throughout the world. You embody their hopes for greater unity among peoples and a more just and caring human family. Your guidance and leadership amid the complexities of modern life will be crucial."
Mr Ahern said he extended "warmest congratulations and best wishes" to the new Pope on behalf of the Government and the Irish people. In a statement, he said Cardinal Ratzinger's election gave him an "awesome responsibility", which had "been increased by the scale of the impact made by his predecessor, the late John Paul II.
"The worldwide impact of that pontificate, and the outpouring of sorrow at his death, represents a resource and a source of encouragement for the new Pope. It demonstrates that the world is waiting to hear his voice and receive his blessing."
He said the scenes of rejoicing and excitement in St Peter's Square yesterday expressed the goodwill which people around the world, of all religions and none, would feel towards the new Pope.
"All Irish men and women, whatever their tradition, will wish him well. He will have the prayers and good wishes of the Christian people of Ireland, especially, of course, of the Roman Catholic community, here as around the world." Mr Ahern said later that he would "love to see a visit here" by the new Pope. He said a second visit to Ireland by the late Pope John Paul II had been a possibility, and "I hope we will remain on that list".
The Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny also wished the Pope well and said he hoped he would "carry through the intention of Pope John Paul II to visit Ireland at an early stage."
Mr Kenny said: "I wish the new Pope Benedict XVI every success in his new role as head of the Roman Catholic Church. He will need his considerable intellectual ability and experience to meet the serious challenges facing the church at this time. I hope that the new Pope continues the excellent work done by his predecessor, particularly in building bridges with other religions."
Tánaiste Mary Harney said: "The death of Pope John Paul II had a profound impact on people throughout the world and it transcended many political and religious boundaries. He was universally respected as a great man of God, a bridge-builder and a peacemaker." She said the new Pope Benedict XVI was a close friend of the late Pope and "he will no doubt continue that good work and carry forward those core values and principles."
A Labour Party spokesman said his party wished the new Pope well.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan took time out of the election campaign in the North to offer best wishes for the new Pope. "Cardinal Ratzinger's many years of experience working closely with his predecessor will stand him in good stead," he said.
"Pope John Paul II is truly a hard act to follow, but I am sure that Pope Benedict XVI will meet this great challenge in service to the church that he now leads. He will have the good wishes of many millions of people around the world in his work."
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern is to meet representatives of the new Pope today as part of his work as a special envoy to UN secretary general Kofi Annan, to discuss proposed reforms to the United Nations.
Mr Ahern is travelling to Rome and the Vatican for the day, and he is expected to visit the tomb of Pope John Paul II. He will also meet members of the Italian Government, before flying to the small state of San Marino, which is also a member of the UN.
The head of Ictu, David Begg, said the new Pope could surprise many people "now that he is his own man".
While his preference had been for a Latin American pope, he said Cardinal Ratzinger certainly had the intellect and the knowledge needed for the job. "I would have liked to see a John XXIII figure to open things up a little, as John Paul II was unduly hard on liberation theologians."
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent last night offered his best wishes to the new Pope. Mr Sargent said Pope John Paul II had warned that humans were "acting as despots in relation to wider creation" and he hoped Pope Benedict XVI would continue to give the world this message.