LONDON - Roman Catholics in Britain and religious leaders of all faiths on Tuesday welcomed the election of German conservative Joseph Ratzinger as the world's 256th pope, and called on him to use his power to improve the plight of mankind.
Patrick Kelly, the archbishop of Liverpool, praised Ratzinger as "a man of tremendous depth".
"I have always enjoyed being in his company and found him to be a wise person, profound and humble."
At London's Westminster Cathedral, where the papal flag was flown and bells pealed in honor of the pope, Bishop George Stack hailed the choice to John Paul II as "fantastic".
"I am sure you will join the church throughout the world in praying that he is given the strength to be a true servant," he told worshippers at mass.
"It's fantastic that the election of a new pope has happened so quickly."
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the leader of the estimated four million Roman Catholics in England and Wales, was absent from Westminster, attending the Vatican conclave of cardinals which elected Ratzinger.
Simon Caldwell, editor of the Catholic Herald, said Ratzinger's hardline stance on social and doctrinal issues would make him "very strong on matters of faith".
"He embodies radical orthodoxy," Caldwell said.
"He will address not only the problems of Africa and the problems of north America, but the problems of increasing secularization", he added.
The head of the Anglican Church, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, said Ratzinger's papacy, for which he will take the name Benedict XVI, was of "great significance to Christians everywhere".
"We wish Pope Benedict XVI every blessing in the immense responsibilities he is about to assume on behalf of Roman Catholics round the world," said the Archbishop.
Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said Britain's Jewish community welcomed the new pope and wished him success in facing the "daunting challenges that lie ahead".
"I hope... that he will speak in defense of the covenant of human solidarity in alleviating poverty and disease, illiteracy and absence of hope in so many parts of the world," he said.
"The higher he lifts our moral horizons, the more he will be admired."
Sacks and Williams expressed hope that Ratzinger would build on the legacy of John Paul in working toward greater dialogue and understanding between faiths.
04/19/2005 18:34 GMT