CORRECTED COPY: POPE CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLAS VATICAN 000086 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O AND EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC, PREL, OVIP, KIRF, VT SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: POPE CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT REF: STATE 118192 CORRECTED COPY: ADDED CAPTIONS (AS PER REFTEL INSTRUCTIONS) AND CORRECTED TITLES 1. The Holy See Secretary of State, His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, requested the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See to transmit the following message from Pope Benedict XVI to President-elect Obama. Begin text: The Honorable Barack Obama President-elect of the United States of America On the historic occasion of your election as President of the United States of America, I send warm greetings and cordial best wishes to you, your wife and your family. I pray that Almighty God will assist you in your high responsibilities in the service of the nation and within the international community. May the Lord's abundant blessings sustain you and the beloved American people as you strive, together will all men and women of good will, to build a world of peace, solidarity and justice. Benedictus PP.XVI End text. 2. Cardinal Bertone also expressed his own heartfelt congratulations and prayers as President-elect Obama prepares to serve the people of the United States. Embassy Vatican received Cardinal Bertone's request November 5. GLENDON