President Jonathan congratulates Pope Francis

Pope Francis has warned the Catholic Church would become "a compassionate NGO" without spiritual renewal.

In a Sistine Chapel Mass with cardinals on his first day as Church leader, the pontiff said: "If we do not confess to Christ, what would we be?

"We would end up a compassionate NGO. What would happen would be like when children make sand castles and then it all falls down."

President Jonathan congratulates Pope Francis

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina on his election on Wednesday as the first Pope from the Americas and the 265th successor to the chair of St Peter.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.

Jonathan noted Cardinal Bergoglio’s glowing antecedents as a great scholar, teacher, Catholic philosopher and very humane leader of the Church.

He said Bergoglio’s emergence as successor to Pope Benedict XVI was a divinely inspired choice by the College of Cardinals and an unequivocal testimony of God’s abiding presence in His Church and the world.

The President joined Catholics in Nigeria and other countries in praying for God’s blessings and Divine guidance for Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, as he assumes the papacy.

He expressed the hope that the new Pope would put his acclaimed qualities and devoutness to the best possible use in resolutely guiding the Church through the many challenges facing it.

Jonathan said ``the Federal Government look forward to further enhancing the already cordial and excellent relationship between Nigeria and the Vatican under the leadership of Pope Francis, the beloved champion of the underprivileged and renowned crusader for global equity and social justice''.

He said he also look forward to collaborating with Pope Francis and the Holy See in working towards the realisation of ``a much more secure, peaceful and just world order''.

Jonathan prayed God Almighty to grant Pope Francis continued good health and strength, and even greater knowledge, wisdom, understanding and divine insights he requires to successfully maintain the positive traditions of the Catholic Church and discharge the sacred Petrine Mission entrusted to him.

He wished Pope Francis a blessed and successful tenure

Francis is the first Latin American - and the first Jesuit - Pope.

Pope Francis is regarded as a doctrinal conservative, but he is also seen as a potential force for reform of the Vatican bureaucracy, analysts say.

Shunned special car

On Wednesday night, Pope Francis endeared himself to the crowds in St Peter's Square - and underlined his reputation for humility - when he asked them to bless him before blessing them in return from the balcony of the basilica.

The Vatican's account of his first hours in the top job on Thursday also emphasised Pope Francis's humility, describing how he shunned a special car and security detail provided to take him to the Vatican, travelling instead on a bus with the other cardinals.

Following his first outing as pope to the Rome basilica on Thursday, Francis went back to the clergy house in a city centre side street where he had been staying ahead of the conclave that elected him on Wednesday.

"He packed his bags and then he went to pay the bill for his room so as to set a good example," said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi.

He also broke tradition by remaining standing to receive cardinals' acts of homage after his election, instead of sitting in the papal throne, Father Lombardi said.

On Friday, Pope Francis will meet all the cardinals, including those aged over 80 who did not take part in the conclave.

On Saturday he will meet the world's media at a special papal audience, an opportunity perhaps to set out some of his global vision, says the BBC's James Robbins in Rome.

A visit to his predecessor Benedict XVI at his retreat at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome is also planned, but will not take place in the next couple of days, Father Lombardi said.

The visit to Benedict is important, correspondents say, as the existence of a living retired pope has prompted fears of a possible rival power.

Francis will be installed officially in an inauguration Mass on Tuesday 19 March, the Vatican added