Scotland welcomes Pope's election

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as the new Pope

The election of a new Pope has been welcomed in Scotland.

The leader of the country's Catholics, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, was one of the 115 cardinals who chose the successor to Pope John Paul II.

German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was named as the new Pope on Tuesday. The 78-year-old has chosen Pope Benedict XVI as his papal name.

The Archbishop of Glasgow, Mario Conti, said he would consider sending him an early invitation to visit Scotland.

"I am delighted, first of all that a quick appointment has been made," he said.

"That is a sign that the cardinals were generally supportive of his candidature."

He is a very humble, personable man, quite different from the hardline 'enforcer' image which is often portrayed of him Archbishop Mario Conti

Archbishop Conti, who only returned from Rome on Tuesday, plans to travel back for the new Pope's installation.

"I know the new Pope personally. I have had the honour of meeting him several times over the years in Rome.

"He is a very humble, personable man, quite different from the hardline 'enforcer' image which is often portrayed of him."

Archbishop Conti described his choice of name as interesting and inspiring.

"The last Pope to bear that name, Benedict XV, was a man of enormous humility who spent himself in the cause of peace.

I hope he will continue the work that Pope John Paul II did in trying to open up relations with other churches and other faiths Dr Allison Elliot Moderator of the Church of Scotland Cardinal's road to Rome In Pictures: 1982 Papal visit

"I think we may find a clue to the style of pontificate we are likely to see in that choice of name," he said.

Cardinal O'Brien said it had been a "great joy" to be involved in the election of the new Pope.

"He is a man of deep spirituality, a renowned theologian and a wonderful choice as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church," he said.

"The election of a Pope is a time of joy and hope for Catholics in Scotland and around the world."

He added that he was "delighted" to see Scotland's flag being held aloft as he stood on the balcony with the Pope looking down on the vast crowds in St Peter's Square.

The appointment was also welcomed by SCIAF, the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien played a part in the selection of the new Pope

Chief executive Paul Chitnis said: "We hope he will continue Pope John Paul II's legacy of promoting social justice, challenging the imbalance between rich Western nations and the developing world, promoting peace, and placing development issues at the centre of his papacy."

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Dr Allison Elliot, urged the new Pope to continue working with other churches.

"As the representative of a sister church, I am particularly interested in how he is going to relate to other churches.

"I hope he will continue the work that Pope John Paul II did in trying to open up relations with other churches and other faiths."

First Minister Jack McConnell said: "Scots of all faiths will congratulate the new Pope, Benedict XVI, and wish him very well.

New role

"I hope that he will be able to build on the success of Pope John Paul II."

Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond said he hoped that the new pontiff would pay a visit to Scotland.

"The SNP wish the new Pope Benedict XVI well in his new role as leader of the Roman Catholic Church," he added.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Jim Wallace also sent his congratulations to the new Pope.