Obama praises Jorge Bergoglio's 'love and compassion' on historic day

Barack Obama on Wednesday welcomed the papal election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio – the first ever pope to come from South America.

Obama praised the new pope – who has taken the name Francis – for his previous work among the poor and his modest lifestyle.

"As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years – that in each other we see the face of God," Obama said in a statement.

Pope Francis is the first leader of the Roman Catholic church to come from Latin America, and Obama's statement perhaps contained a subtle nod to the growing electoral power in the United States of voters from a Hispanic background.

"As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day," Obama said.

Vice-president Joe Biden, the ranking Catholic in the administration, will lead the US delegation at the installation of the new pope.

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell also issued a statement welcoming the new pontiff. He praised the Pope for his stance on "moral" issues, perhaps seeing them as chiming with the social conservatism that defines much of the Republican party on issues like abortion and gay marriage.

"As a voice of clarity and force on the great moral challenges of our time, the Pope plays a uniquely constructive role in world affairs, and as a herald of the Christian message of charity and reconciliation he calls all of us to a greater recognition of the inherent dignity of all men and women," McConell said.

Religious leaders, too, joined in. "Welcome Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. You have our prayers, said Pastor Rick Warren, who is one of America's most powerful evangelical Christians with a large mega-church based in southern California.

Meanwhile, the World Jewish Congress also issued a statement and praised Bergoglio's past of attending and encouraging inter-faith dialogue and events.

"He always had an open ear for our concerns. By choosing such an experienced man, someone who is known for his open-mindedness, the cardinals have sent an important signal to the world. I am sure that Pope Francis I will continue to be a man of dialogue, a man who is able to build bridges with other faiths," said the group's president Ronald S Lauder.

Up to the naming of Bergoglio there had been some speculation that New York's outspoken Archbishop Timothy Dolan might get picked and become the first American pope. But the media-savvy Dolan had given a strong hint that he did not see himself as in the running.

Before the voting had ended he had updated his blog with the message: "Watch for the white smoke! I'll try to be in touch as soon as I can after the conclave ends. I'll stay for the mass of inauguration for the new Holy Father, but hope to be home, back with you, my spiritual family, before Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday," he told his New York flock.