LONDON, April 19: One of the world’s leading pro-choice groups expressed regret at the election of Joseph Ratzinger as pope, saying the social conservative German cardinal could hamper efforts to improve public health in the developing world. “(It is) a missed opportunity,” Tony Kerrigan, senior media officer at Marie Stopes International, said.

“It looks like this particular cardinal will continue with the line on contraception, condoms, and HIV prevention that Pope John Paul II had. It’s regrettable because that will impact so terribly on the lives of millions of people, particularly in the developing world.”

He said Marie Stopes, which works on reproductive health issues in 37 countries, had hoped the cardinals meeting in the Vatican would have chosen a pope with a “more relaxed attitude” on issues like contraception, instead of the hardline opposition of the former pope.

Christian Aid also congratulated Cardinal Ratzinger, but called on him to reform the Roman Catholic church’s stance on contraception in order to fight the spread of AIDS.

“The church faces grave challenges in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world from the HIV epidemic,” said Daleep Mukarji.

“We would welcome a fresh approach from the Roman Catholic Church, which is growing so fast in these regions, on this vital issue.”—AFP