International leaders congratulate Francis I on election as Pope

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has chosen the name of Francis I, on his election as the new Pope on Wednesday, Voice of Russia reports.

Ban Ki-moon voiced hope the new Primate of the Catholic Church would pursue a course towards inter-confessional dialogue.

U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated the Argentine Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio and extended "best wishes" on behalf of the American people.

The head of Argentina Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner wished Jorge Mario Bergoglio "fruitful pastoral activity" "in the name of justice, equality, fraternity and universal peace.”