For the election of His Holiness, His Excellency the Most Reverend Bishop Luigi Cantafora from Lamezia Terme released this statement: "After the luminous pontificate of Benedict XVI, the cardinals elected as the successor of Peter, Cardinal George Mario Bergoglio who chose for himself the name of Francis. We know we have got with him, the Good Shepherd, kind and wise confirming the Church in unity, love and peace.

Joy fills our hearts, like that of the whole Church for this election eagerly awaited. Renewal on behalf of the entire diocese of Lamezia Terme branch communion and obedience to the Pope and he came to His Holiness would like all our love. We as of now we will pray for him and his intentions, partly because of the special relationship of the Diocese lametina with the figure of the last two popes. I invite all the faithful of the Diocese of Lamezia Terme to thank the Lord because he has chosen the Roman Pontiff Francis as Vicar of Christ. We entrust his ministry at St. Francis of Assisi, the great reformer of the Church who gave the great rule his friars to live the gospel".