Pope Benedict XVI

The front pages are dominated by the news that Joseph Ratzinger has been elected Pope.

The German cardinal, who was a close ally of Pope John Paul II and is widely seen as a strict conservative, was elected in the fourth ballot of a conclave attended by 115 cardinal-electors from 52 countries in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.

Cardinal Ratzinger, who is the first German pontiff for 482 years, announced he was taking the name of Pope Benedict XVI.

His papacy is likely to continue his predecessor's policies of theological conservatism and strict orthodoxy on sexual morality.

Tony Blair last night sent a message of congratulations saying: "I offer Your Holiness, on the assumption of your high office, congratulations and my very best wishes for the success of your Pontificate.

"I look forward to continuing our co-operation with the Holy See on issues of international importance such as Africa and development."

The chief rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks, wished the new pope luck in "the daunting challenges that lie ahead".

He said: "I hope that he will speak in defence of the covenant of human solidarity in alleviating poverty and disease, illiteracy and absence of hope in so many parts of the world."