Key excerpts: Pope's message

Pope Benedict XVI said he would work for Christian unity

In his first message as pontiff, delivered to cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, Pope Benedict XVI pledged to work towards unity among Christians and dialogue with other faiths.

Here are some excerpts from his sermon.

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Confounding all my expectations, divine providence through the votes of the venerable father cardinals has called me to succeed this great pope.

Grace and peace and abundance to all of you.

By choosing me... the Lord has called me to be a rock on which everybody can stand with confidence.

I declare the willingness of all Catholics to co-operate to achieve authentic social development which respects the dignity of every human being. Read the new Pope's sermon in full Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader Download the reader here

These past hours, two contrasting feelings reside in my soul.

On one hand I have a sense of inadequacy and human turmoil at the responsibility entrusted to me yesterday... On the other hand, I feel living in me a deep gratitude to God who does not abandon his flock but guides them always.

[John Paul II] left a more courageous, freer and younger Church.

I can feel his strong hand squeezing mine. I feel as if I can see his smiling eyes and hear his words right now addressing me: 'Have no fear'.

I intend to continue along this path [of evangelisation] started by my venerable predecessors, concerned solely with proclaiming the living presence of Christ to the entire world.

I too... want to affirm with decisive willingness to follow in the commitment of carrying out the Second Vatican Council, in the wake of my predecessors and in faithful continuity with the 2,000-year-old tradition of the Church.

[I] am willing to do everything in my power to promote the fundamental cause of ecumenism... and am fully determined to accept every initiative that seems opportune to promote contact and understanding among representatives of the various churches and ecclesiastical communities. I take this opportunity to send all of them my most cordial greetings in Christ, the only Lord of all.

My thoughts are particularly with the young

[St Peter's] current successor takes as his primary task that of working - sparing no energies - to reconstitute the full and visible unity of all Christ's followers. This is his ambition, this is his pressing duty.

A demonstration of good intentions is not enough. We need concrete gestures that enter the soul, and move consciences, calling each one to that interior conversion that is the basis of any progress on the ecumenical path.

I address everybody, even those who follow other religions or who simply look for an answer to life's fundamental questions and still haven't found it. To all, I turn with simplicity and affection, to ensure that the Church wants to continue weaving an open and sincere dialogue with them, in the quest for the real good for man and society.

I declare the willingness of all Catholics to co-operate to achieve authentic social development which respects the dignity of every human being.

I will spare no efforts and dedication to continue the promising dialogue with different civilisations that was started by my cherished predecessors, so that a better future for everybody originate from mutual comprehension.

My thoughts are particularly with the young. To them, who had a privileged relationship with Pope John Paul II, I send my affectionate embrace as I wait, God willing, to meet them in Cologne for the next World Day of Youth. I will continue to talk with you, dear young people.