(CNN) -- The election of a pope from Latin America shows the emerging influence of the region in the Catholic church and the world, church officials and world leaders said Wednesday. "His selection ... speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world," U.S. President Barack Obama said. Obama said he looked forward to working with the pope to advance peace and dignity for people, regardless of their faiths. "The election of a pope from the 'new world' is an occasion of genuinely historic proportions," Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement.
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Argentine president hopes the pope will have "fruitful pastoral work"
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President Obama says selection speaks to emerging role of Latin America
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Mexican bishops say it is a sign of love for pilgrims in the region
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Francis should make preventing child sexual abuse a priority, survivors group says
"For two weeks, the @placeholder of the world have been without the spiritual father of their family.