I join my colleagues in welcoming the election of the new Pontiff. I thank Senator David Norris for his very generous and interesting theological response to last night's event in Rome.

Hear, hear.

It was interesting to hear about Coghlan railway station in Buenos Aires.

Some of my colleagues will recall the old jibe of that hero of some socialists, Joseph Stalin, who asked how many divisions the Pope had. Anybody who has been observing the events in Rome in recent days and reading the media, social media in particular, in the past 24 hours will certainly agree that the Pope still has very many divisions. The election last night of a new Pontiff will, I hope, bring about a great a spirit of renewal, not only in the church but also in broader society. In the short time since the Pope's election, what we have learned about his thinking on social policy. Respect and concern for the poor and underprivileged is not just a religious message. It is also very much a political message. I hope many lessons can be learned by governments all over the world. We must wish the new Pope well in the enormous task he is taking on. Millions of people throughout the world today seek a new start in the church.

I join Senator Ned O'Sullivan in congratulating those responsible for the Irish success story so far this week at Cheltenham. In one sense, there is a bizarre connection between Cheltenham, with its horses, and the Pope. Generally, there is a politically correct view that horse racing and the horse racing industry should not be encouraged.

They are on the gallop.