St. Peter's Basilica was dressed up for one of the most representative celebrations of the Church in Rome: the creation of 21 new cardinals.
The oldest of them was Angelo Acerbi, 99 years old. He was the Apostolic Nuncio and the person in charge of addressing the Pope on behalf of the new cardinals.
As a sign and expression of gratitude to Your Holiness, we wish to join in your prayer.
The 87-year-old Pope addressed his new collaborators with a rather heavy but firm voice. He reminded them of their responsibilities to those who are exposed to the cardinalate: to go out to the peripheries to evangelize.
POPE FRANCIS
The adventure of the journey, the joy of meeting others, caring for the most vulnerable - this is what should inspire your service as cardinals.
He also stressed that it is very important for the cardinals to foster the unity of the Church rather than division.
POPE FRANCIS
The Lord calls you to be witnesses, witnesses of fraternity. He calls you to be artisans of communion and builders of unity. And this is your mission.
The new cardinals come from all over the world. After receiving the biretta, the ring, and the church of Rome assigned to them, the new cardinals went on to greet one by one the other members of the College of Cardinals.
JRB/GS
