Mumbai (AsiaNews) Mgr Percival Fernandez, Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai and Secretary General of the Bishops' Conference of India, is convinced that the Holy Father will lead the Church in the world to the rediscovery of Christ.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Bishop Fernandez said: "I met Pope Benedict XVI in Rome two years ago at the time of our ad limina visit. It was my first personal meeting with him and my first two strong impressions were: first, that he was an intellectual giant; and, second, that he was a humble person."
For him, "both qualities are necessary to be the leader of the Catholic Church which transcends all boundaries".
The new Pontiff is necessary because she "faces many challenges" and "Pope Benedict XVI is theologically and intellectually competent to lead the Universal Church in the globalised world of the 21st century".
According to the Indian prelate it is possible that with this Pope, de-Christianized Europe might rediscover its Christian roots.
"Benedict XVI," he believes, "will usher in an era of Christianisation of Europe as well as the rest of the world with the assurances given by Christ Himself".
"I am not disappointed that someone from the Third World was not chosen. Benedict XVI is the right man for the times, a proponent of the Second Vatican Council and someone who will continue the policies of John Paul II."
"The Holy Father," he explained, "is an intelligent man and will understand the future needs of the church, yet he is humble enough to listen to the people."