Cardinal Nichols congratulate Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on birth of their daughter

Lindo Wing, St Mary\'s Hospital, Paddington

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has sent a letter of congratulations to Kensington Palace on the occasion of the birth of the Royal Child to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at 8.34am on Saturday, 2 May.

The full text follows:

Your Royal Highnesses, On behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, I would like to congratulate Your Royal Highnesses on the birth of your daughter, Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Cambridge.

The birth of the new Princess will be a source of joy not only for the Royal Family but for the peoples of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and beyond.

I assure Your Royal Highnesses of the prayers and best wishes of the Catholic Church in England and Wales for your new family member.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ bless and protect you all, and may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph intercede for your family.

With all good wishes and prayers,

Cardinal Vincent Nichols

President Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales