‘He has best wishes of all Irish people’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has wished the new Pope well as he leads the Catholic Church “in the many challenges it faces”.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I offer warm congratulations to Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on his election as Pope Francis,” the Taoiseach said.

“He has the best wishes of all Irish people, of all traditions, as he undertakes the immense responsibility of his pontificate.”