Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines has been elected as the new president of Caritas Internationalis at the confederation's 20th General Assembly in Rome.
Speaking on the phone, Cardinal Tagle said to delegates from over 130 member organisations from all over the world: "Buona sera a tutti!
"Thank you for your trust. I'm limited in my capacities but with all of you, with the love of that Jesus has poured into our hearts and in the name of all of the poor people in the world, I accept this election.
"Let us together strengthen the church of the poor so our witness can help so our witness can help guild a world of understanding justice, true freedom and peace.
Cardinal Tagle is the first Caritas Internationalis President to be elected from Asia.
Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, who is stepping down after serving two terms, offered his congratulations and warm support.
Alexander Bodmann from Austria was also elected as the new Caritas Internationalis Treasurer.
Caritas Internationalis is the global confederation of 164 Catholic organisations working on behalf of the poor. It is the arm through which the church delivers its moral mission to help the most vulnerable and excluded people, whatever their religion or race.
