OTTAWA, April 20, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In the Canadian House of Commons yesterday, Niagara Falls Conservative MP Rob Nicholson found himself in a position to announce to his fellow Members of Parliament the news of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Here is what was said:
Hon. Rob Nicholson (Niagara Falls, CPC): Mr. Speaker, We have just received word from Rome that a new Pope for the Roman Catholic Church has been named. He is Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger from Germany.
Canadians of all faiths wish him well and pray for God’s blessings on his pontificate. The papacy has played a far reaching and positive role in world affairs during our lifetime. We have every expectation that this will continue.
The new pontiff will, of course, face great challenges, but he has the example and record of his predecessor, the beloved John Paul II. He showed the world what an individual of immense faith can accomplish.
Stepping into the shoes of that future saint is a daunting task, but the new Pope will have the comfort of knowing that he will take with him the prayers of the world, the protection of the great Mother of God and the blessing of the God who has guided all his predecessors back to St. Peter.
God Bless Pope Benedict XVI.