Your Holiness:
On behalf of the American people, I join people the world over in welcoming your election as Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. We rejoice in the renewal of leadership for your Church.
In a world of rapid change, the basic needs of humanity remain the same: peace, justice, equity and the opportunity for life with dignity. These are still the supreme challenges that face us. Your voice and your efforts, in the tradition of your predecessors, can be an inspiration and a hope for all those who struggle to meet those challenges. I pray it will be heard and echoed by people of good will throughout the world.
On this happy occasion, I extend to Your Holiness my deep respect and sincere good wishes for your Papacy.
Sincerely,
JIMMY CARTER
Note: The following announcement was released by the White House Press Office on August 29:
President Carter today announced that he has asked Vice President Walter F. Mondale to serve as his personal representative at the September 3-4 Papal Inaugural ceremonies for His Holiness Pope John Paul I at the Vatican.
The Vice President will be accompanied by Mrs. Joan Adams Mondale, their son William, and a delegation of distinguished Americans.
Jimmy Carter, Pope John Paul I Message to His Holiness on His Election. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/248815