ROMAN Catholic priests across Wiltshire have expressed their delight at the choice of the new Pope. Joseph Ratzinger, 78, was chosen on Tuesday as the 265th Pontiff.

Father Martin Griffin, the priest in charge at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Devizes, said he and his parish were delighted by the news of Pope Benedict's election.

He said: "I haven't had a chance to talk to many people about it, but those who I have spoken to are very positive and very happy that we have a new pope.

"He is a man of Rome and has given us some wonderful writings."

Asked if Pope Benedict would be able to live up to the example of his predecessor, Father Martin said: "The Holy Spirit works in different ways with different people. We don't go in for cloning in the Catholic Church."

Malmesbury Catholic priest Father George O'Sullivan said the new Pope was a good choice for the church.

Mr O' Sullivan, who says mass at St Aldhelm's Roman Catholic Church at Cross Hayes said: "He is an excellent choice, he knows the running of the church and the world's problems.

He will be a charismatic figure in his own right. I am sure he will be his own man and not imitate Pope John Paul II."

Mr O'Sullivan added that despite the new pope's strict line on issues such as homosexuality, he was merely following church teaching.

Father Desmond Millett, priest at St Mary's church in Chippenham, said he warmly welcomed the appointment of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

"He is solid and doctrinally sound," said Fr Millet. "He is a very clear thinker and will give the church strong leadership."

Fr Millet said that he didn't like the term conservative or liberal in this context.

"I think he will lead us forward," he said.