Everything is ready at the Vatican for the consistory this Nov. 28, in which the pope will create 13 new cardinals.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 4 p.m., Rome time. Of all the health safety measures in place because of the pandemic, the most evident will be the face masks.
Another notable aspect of this consistory is that it will be celebrated from the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter instead of the Altar of the Confession.
To respect physical distancing, only family members, friends and close collaborators of the new cardinals will be allowed to attend the ceremony. Each cardinal-elect is allowed to invite about 10 guests.
At this consistory, only 11 of the 13 new cardinals will be present. Cornelius Sim, Apostolic Vicar of Brunei, and José Advincula, Archbishop of Capiz, Philippines, will not travel to Rome because of the health crisis. They will receive the biretta, the ring and the Bull in their own countries from one of the pope's representatives.
During the celebration, the traditional sign of peace and individual greetings will not be allowed.
It's still not certain if the new cardinals will pay the traditional visit to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to greet Benedict XVI, regarded by Pope Francis as the “wise grandfather of the Church.”
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: CT
