THE city's Catholic church leaders today gave a warm welcome to the news that Joseph Ratzinger has become the new Pope.

The 78-year-old German has become the leader of 1.1 billion Catholics and taken the name of Benedict XVI.

Father Tom Kelly, of the Church of the Sacred Heart, in Droitwich, said that at the age of 78, Joseph Ratzinger was a little old for the job.

But he added: "I am sure that the cardinals, in their wisdom and guided by the Holy Spirit have made the right choice.

"I was impressed by him when he led the Mass for Pope John Paul II and I think he looked very much like a Pope in waiting."

Father Kevin Kavanagh, of St Joseph's Church, in Warndon, Worcester, thought some surprises could be in store.

"People tend to view him as a strict conservative, but he was quite a liberal theologian in the past and therefore all things are possible," he said.

"I am sure that is the way he will approach the present and future needs of the church."

Father Paul Fitzpatrick, of St George's Church in Worcester city centre, credited him with being the first person to refer to the former Pope as John Paul "the Great".

"We expect that he will carry on the service, but perhaps surprise us with how he will do this in new and interesting ways," he said.

"I think he will care for Europe and surprise many people."

Crowds at the Vatican cheered ecstatically when the new Pope Benedict XVI appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica last night. And Britain's most senior Catholics have reacted positively to his ordination as head of the world's Catholics.

The Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Rev Patrick Kelly, who met Cardinal Ratzinger several times in the past, described him as "wise, profound and humble".

But gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said his election was a "disaster for women, gay people and liberal humanitarian values".