BOSTON -- The Archdiocese of Boston today issued the following statement regarding the election of Pope Benedict XVI.:

Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley today expressed joy and gratitude to God for the election of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI . Our Holy Father was a close collaborator with Pope John Paul II in the central administration of the Church.

Pope Benedict XVI was also the Residential Bishop of the Archdiocese of Munich, a position of great pastoral responsibility, and has considerable academic credentials. All of these experiences and achievements put our Holy Father in good stead as he begins his ministry as Shepherd of the Universal Church.