Reaction to the election of Ratzinger as Pope

ROME - Reaction to the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI.

Lawrence Cunningham, Professor of Theology at University of Notre Dame, Indiana, US
"I was surprised for a couple of reasons. One is his age ... The second is that I thought he might have been too much of a polarising person. But that may not be the perception that was shared by the cardinals.

It is very clear that he is going to be a pope that is going to take very seriously the problems of the Catholic church in Europe."

Katarzyna Zbiegien, 26, Warsaw lawyer
"This is an excellent choice. I was a bit afraid, but now I know that the church is in good hands. I think that Ratzinger is closest to John Paul's mission. His sermon during John Paul's funeral won my heart and I think the hearts of other Poles.

"I think that Catholics weren't ready yet for a pope from Latin America or Africa.

"I like the fact that it is a pope from Europe, which right now is experiencing a crisis of religious values. I think that his Pontificate will be a continuation of John Paul's."

Mary Grant, US Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
"Ratzinger is a polarising figure to many, who seems to prefer combativeness to compromise and compassion. Still, we wish him well.

"It's ... crucial that the new pope follow the words and views of John Paul II who said 'there is no place in the priesthood for anyone who would harm the young'."

Isaac Herzog, Israeli Cabinet Minister
"Time will tell whether he will be as committed as his predecessor to the improvement of relations with the Jewish people. The new Pope is not well known in this respect and we will have to wait and see what will develop. But we convey our congratulations to the (Christian) faithful."

Simon Caldwell, Catholic Herald
"He was the clear favourite and I am sure he will be a good Pope.

"He is a very clever man, a great intellect and was very, very close to John Paul II. The one thing this Pontiff will represent is continuity."

Stephen Seguya, car importer in Uganda
"It is a shame they have not given an African candidate a chance. But maybe Ratzinger can address some of our issues here. We can hope."

Stanislas LaLanne, spokesman for French Bishops' Conference and former pupil of Ratzinger
"When I met him I liked his clarity of expression, his rare intelligence, his extraordinary deep knowledge, his extraordinarily deep faith -- and at the same time he has a way talking to you in a simple language.

"When you listen to people like that you think you become intelligent yourself as you listen to them."

- REUTERS