EUROPE/ITALY - Statement by Javier Echevarría Prelate of Opus Dei following election of the new Pope. “May John Paul II protect his Successor in this new Spring time!”

Rome (Fides Service ) - “This is a time of great joy for the whole Church. Catholics the world over thank God for the gift of the new Pope Benedict XVI.
For my part, and I am sure I am expressing the sentiments of all the men and women who belong to the Prelature of Opus Dei, I assure Benedict XVI of my total loyalty to his person and his teaching in profound communion.
During the past few days of confident waiting much was said about the grave responsibility of the Roman Pontiff, the necessity of his ministry for the Church, the weight of the burden placed on his shoulders. This is all correct, nevertheless already in the last few hours we have seen that besides relying on the help of God, the Pope counts on the prayers and affection of all Catholics and many other people of goodwill. The circumstances connected with the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Benedict XVI were the occasion of an extraordinary manifestation of faith by millions of people as well as an extraordinary demonstration of unity: first in grief for the absence of our beloved John Paul II, then in joy for the gift of the new Pope. May John Paul II protect his Successor in this new Spring time!”
I think also, although it is obvious, at the marvellous continuity of the Church so evident in the jubilation of the People of God for the election of the new Successor of Peter”. (AP) (20/4/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:22 Parole:252)