Vatican City (AsiaNews) - May God enlighten and assist the new American president. This is the hope expressed this morning by the director of the Holy See press office, Fr. Federico Lombardi. "We hope," he said, "that he will be able to respond to the expectations and hopes placed in him, effectively serving rights and justice, finding the proper ways to promote peace in the world, fostering the growth and dignity of persons in respect for essential human and spiritual rights."

"Believers," he added, "pray that God may enlighten and assist him in his great responsibility, not only for his country, but for the entire world."

For its part, Vatican Radio has noted that "in the victory of Barack Obama, an important role was played by the young people who voted en masse for the Democratic candidate," "the first president of color, the son of an African, a young politician, a Democrat after the Republican era of Bush."