Pope Francis led a ceremony to create 13 new cardinals in the Catholic Church on Saturday, despite a visible bruise on his chin. The pontiff’s injury was noticeable as he led the consistory, a formal ceremony to elevate new cardinals, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The ceremony, which began at 10:00 AM local time, was attended by the new cardinals, their families, and other high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis, who was seen walking with a slight limp, delivered a homily during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of compassion and humility in the role of cardinals.
The 13 new cardinals come from different parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. They were chosen by Pope Francis in recognition of their contributions to the Catholic Church and their commitment to serving the poor and marginalized.
The consistory was the seventh of Pope Francis’ papacy, which began in 2013. The ceremony was marked by traditional rituals, including the presentation of the biretta, a red hat worn by cardinals, and the ring, which symbolizes the cardinal’s commitment to the Church.
Despite his injury, Pope Francis was seen smiling and greeting the new cardinals and their families during the ceremony. The Vatican did not provide any information about the cause of the pontiff’s injury, but it is believed to be minor.
The new cardinals are:
* Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, Spain
* José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça, Portugal
* Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, Indonesia
* Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, Cuba
* Frei Antônio Muniz Fernandes, Brazil
* Augusto Zampini Diaz, Chile
* Cristóbal López Romero, Spain
* Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri, Guatemala
* Matteo Zuppi, Italy
* Sigitas Tamkevičius, Lithuania
* Shelton Fabre, United States
* Antoine Kambanda, Rwanda
* Wilton Gregory, United States
The creation of new cardinals is an important event in the Catholic Church, as it reflects the pontiff’s vision for the future of the Church. The new cardinals will play a crucial role in advising the Pope and participating in the governance of the Church.
The ceremony was also attended by several heads of state, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Spanish King Felipe VI. The event was broadcast live on television and streamed online, allowing millions of people around the world to participate in the ceremony.
In his homily, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of compassion and humility in the role of cardinals. He said, “The cardinal’s dignity is not a privilege, but a service. It is not a title, but a mission. It is not a position, but a responsibility.”
The Pope also emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among the cardinals. He said, “The College of Cardinals is not a group of individuals, but a body that must work together, united in their commitment to the Gospel and to the service of the Church.”
The ceremony was followed by a Mass, during which the new cardinals received their birettas and rings. The event concluded with a procession of the cardinals, led by Pope Francis, through St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican has announced that the new cardinals will participate in a meeting with the Pope and other senior officials of the Church on Monday, to discuss the future of the Church and the role of the cardinals.
