Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the bishops' conference, has said the British decision to leave the European Union sets the country "on a new course that will be demanding on all".
The cardinal called for Britain to work hard to be "good neighbours" and "resolute contributors" to international efforts tackling the world's problems.
He prayed that, on this new course, the most vulnerable would be protected and the "finest traditions of generosity" upheld.
The cardinal said: “A great tradition of the United Kingdom is to respect the will of the people, expressed at the ballot box. Today we set out on a new course that will be demanding on all.
