Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church of St. Elizabeth, on the election today of Pope Francis by the College of Cardinals in Vatican City:

“My prayers go out today to the newly elected Holy Father Pope Francis as he begins his solemn mission of bringing the message of peace and hope that lies at the heart of the teaching of Jesus Christ. I pray that Pope Francis’s wisdom and humility provides him with the strength to deliver the universal message of hope and salvation shared by people of faith all over the world.  As a member of the Catholic Church, I have great faith that the Holy Father will lead our worldwide community forward as we confront new challenges in an ever-changing world.”