April 19, 2005
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Paul Martin today issued the following statement on the investiture of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI.

"On behalf of the Government and the people of Canada, I welcome news of the election of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church.

"We know that he will cherish and continue the legacy of Pope John Paul II, and we pledge our support to his all-important work in the service of humanity, both in promoting human rights and in fostering greater understanding between the peoples and the nations of the world. We also know him to be a sincere and devoted servant of the Roman Catholic faith, who is uniquely placed to contribute toward overcoming racial, ethnic and religious hatred, and eradicating poverty and hunger. There are many areas in which the Government of Canada, as well as individual Canadians, can work with the Holy See to achieve these important objectives. Our common humanity gives this work, in an era of great global challenges, greater meaning than ever."