Voorzitters Van Rompuy en Barroso feliciteren nieuwe paus met zijn benoeming (en)

EUROPEAN COUNCIL

THE PRESIDENT

EN

Brussels, 13 March 2013

EUCO 67/13

PRESSE 113

PR PCE 59

Joint message of congratulations by

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and

President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso

to the newly elected Pope and Head of the Vatican State,

His Holiness Francis I

On behalf of the European Union, we convey our sincere congratulations on Your election.

We wish You a long and blessed Pontificate, which will allow Your Holiness and the Catholic Church to defend and promote the fundamental values of peace, solidarity and human dignity. They are essential sign posts in a world facing numerous challenges and undergoing deep change.

We are convinced that Your Holiness will continue to further with determination and strength the work of Your predecessors by bringing the world's people and religions closer together.