Vatican City - Roman Catholics "pray that God may enlighten" US president-elect Barack Obama so that he can successfully respond to the hope his election has generated, Pope Benedict XVI's spokesman said Wednesday.

Obama has raised expectations on "justice and finding appropriate ways to promote peace in the world," Father Federico Lombardi was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency.

There was hope he would "favour human growth and dignity with respect to essential human and spiritual values," Lombardi said.

The position of US president came with an "immense responsibility" not just towards the US, but the "whole world," Lombardi said.

The Vatican remained neutral during the US election campaign, but some US bishops urged voters to choose candidates that opposed the pro-choice stance on abortion adopted by Obama and his running mate and now vice president-elect, Joe Bidden, who is Roman Catholic. (dpa)