Five months after receiving the cardinal's biretta, the Archbishop of Madrid, José Cobo, followed ancient tradition and took possession of the national church of the Spanish in Rome, Santa María in Montserrat.
CARD. JOSÉ COBO CANO
Archbishop of Madrid
Today, with the Gospel in our arms, with mercy in our hearts, we approach this church of Santa María of Montserrat of the Spaniards to “take possession,” as we say colloquially. It hurts me to take possession. It hurts me that this language is so pervasive and remains in the heart. Christ does not call us to possess anything, but to accept the supreme poverty, which is to lean only on him.
In his homily, Cardinal Cobo dedicated a few minutes to talk about the principles of the church of Montserrat, which has been a meeting place for Spaniards in the Eternal City for centuries.
CARD. JOSÉ COBO CANO
Archbishop of Madrid
It will help us to remember that this church, where I began my ministry, had a main purpose of a place of welcome and hospitality to the Spanish pilgrims in Rome, especially the poor and the sick. Without them, there is no way. Today, it is Christ who takes possession because we want him to dwell more in us and to be the road we travel.
Cardinal Cobo was accompanied by the Madrid seminary, with whom he visited Pope Francis the day before. The Spanish ambassador to the Holy See was also present, as well as several Spanish cardinals.
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