China congratulated Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany for his being elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on April 20.

    

Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, waves from a balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, April 19, 2005. (Reuters Photo)

Qin said he learned that two Chinese Catholic groups -- the Catholic Patriotic Association of China and the Chinese Catholic Bishops College -- had sent congratulatory messages and told churches across China to pray for the new pope as congratulations.

    While answering questions from the press on the election, Qin said China is ready to improve relations with the Vatican on the basis of the two principles for China-Vatican relations.

    The first is that the Vatican must terminate its so-called "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan and recognize the fact that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing whole China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

    The second is that Vatican should not interfere in China's internal affairs, including any intervention under the pretext of religious affairs.

    "We hope that under the leadership of the new pope, the Vaticancan create favorable conditions for the improvement of China-Vatican relations," the spokesman said.

    It is reported that Ratzinger, who was born on April 16, 1927, in the Bavarian town of Marktl am Inn in southern Germany, took the name Pope Benedict XVI as successor to Pope John Paul II who died on April 2 at the age of 84.

    CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE

    Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and Chinese Catholic Bishops' Conference on Wednesday sent a joint message of congratulations to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany on his election of the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

    "Give thanks to the almighty God for choosing you as the representative of Christ on earth, the heir of Saint Peter," said the message.

    "With joy and happiness in the Risen Christ, we offer to you our hearty congratulations in Christ" on behalf of more than 5 million Chinese Catholics, it added.

    "It is our earnest hope that you would enhance the Sino-Vatican relations for the sake of the salvific work of Jesus Christ," it said.

    The Vatican announced Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday and took the name Pope Benedict XVI.

    Ratzinger, who was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn in Germany's southern region of Bavaria, gained strong support among cardinals seeking a successor to Pope John Paul II who died on April 2 at the age of 84.