German president welcomes Pope Leo XIV as a 'bridge-builder'
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier conveyed his warmest blessings to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV in a message on Thursday.
"The people of Germany, especially Catholic Christians, look forward to your pontificate with great expectation and heartfelt affection, Steinmeier wrote.
Pope Leo is taking on an important spiritual and moral responsibility in a time marked by discord and profound global challenges, he continued.
"May your personal character as a bridge-builder between the United States and the countries of Latin America help you to give voice to the concerns and hopes of people throughout the world," Steinmeier added.
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