The reactions, from various quarters, so far …

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: “I write to you … to express our congratulations on your historic election as President of the United States. The people of our country have entrusted you with a great responsibility. As Catholic Bishops, we offer our prayers that God give you strength and wisdom to meet the coming challenges. Our country is confronting many uncertainties. We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person.”

Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington: “We offer our prayers today for our nation and for our newly elected leaders, including President-elect Obama, as they take on their new responsibilities. We recognize that this election of the first African-American president is an historic moment in our nation’s history and we rejoice with the rest of our nation in the significance of this time.”

Catholic Democrats: “We have argued all along that Senators Obama and Biden were the candidates that best reflected our Catholic values of hope, personal responsibility, and care for the common good. We also believe that they best addressed the issues of meeting our energy needs, feeding our families, ensuring access to quality health care, promoting peace and prosperity, and restoring the progress that was made against abortion during the 1990s.”

Rev. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman: “The job of the president of the United States is a job of immense and most high responsibility not only for his country but for the whole world, given the weight that the United States carries in every dimension of the world scene. Therefore we all hope that the new President Obama will be able to respond to the expectations and hopes turned toward him, efficaciously serving right and justice, and finding the proper ways to promote peace in the world; favoring the growth and the dignity of the person with respect to essential human and spiritual values . Believers pray that God may enlighten and assist him in his most high responsibility.”

Rev. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary, National Council of Churches: “Mr. President-Elect, the National Council of Churches stand(s) ready to work with you to respond to the realities that a loving God places before us each day. In doing so, we are guided by several basic principles: That those living in poverty are deeply loved of God; that all God’s people are entitled to equal opportunities for justice, shelter, education, and health care; And that war, even when it is necessary to defend ourselves or the weak or the oppressed, is never the will of God.

Council on American-Islamic Relations: “President-elect Obama’s victory sends the unmistakable message that America is a nation that offers equal opportunity to people of all backgrounds.”

Evangelist Billy Graham: “President-elect Obama faces many challenges, and I urge everyone to join me in pledging our support and prayers and he begins the difficult task ahead.”

Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops: “As a church that is committed to inclusivity, we celebrate the fact that a person of color has been elected to the highest office in the U.S. and the progress that has been made towards overcoming racial divisions.”

Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America: “Mazal Tov to you upon your election to the presidency of the United States of America. Your campaign and your victory were truly historic achievements for the United States and the world.”