Hong Kong's Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun has praised the election of Pope Benedict XVI, describing him as a man to chart a course of stability for the Catholic Church in a chaotic world.
Another leading cleric predicted that his hardline doctrinal positions as the Vatican's chief theologian might soften in his new role.
Bishop Zen said the cardinals had chosen the right man. 'They have sent a very clear message that the new Pope will continue the path of John Paul in this world of chaos and relativism ... Benedict will face the challenges and lead the church forward in a stable way,' Bishop Zen said.
He said the new pontiff would bring fresh hope that the Vatican and Beijing could rebuild diplomatic relations broken for half a century. 'No matter who is the pope, he will be very concerned with this. This is a very clear and unanimous direction of the Holy See. [Benedict] will definitely try very hard to build diplomatic relations,' Bishop Zen said.
He said the Vatican, which maintains ties with Taipei, had long tried to establish relations with Beijing and Benedict would continue this policy of his predecessor.
One clergyman who has met the new Pope in the past described him as a 'very gentle and very caring' man. 'He is a very nice man, highly educated and very much a professor. He is a person who listens, and doesn't rush in to give his opinion.
