Today's Date:

The Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, shares the joy felt by all Catholics following the election of His Holiness Benedict XVI.

He expresses the hope that the newly-elected Pope may build on Jean-Paul II’s work and efforts to promote brotherhood and peace.

The Prime Minister is keen for the relations of trust and respect uniting France and the Holy See to be fully reflected in the Pope’s noble mission, in the service of peace and human dignity./.