Pope Francis ordained 21 new cardinals on Sunday, in a ceremony that took place at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The pope, who was visibly bruised after a fall during a Mass in Slovakia, urged the new cardinals to walk in the path of Jesus and to prioritize humility and service.
The ceremony, known as a consistory, is a formal event in which the pope creates new cardinals, who are senior bishops of the Catholic Church. The new cardinals come from around the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
In his homily, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of compassion and empathy in the role of a cardinal. He said that cardinals must be “servants of the Gospel” and that they must prioritize the needs of the poor and the marginalized.
“A cardinal’s role is not to seek power or prestige, but to serve the Church and the world,” the pope said. “Cardinals must be men of prayer, men of compassion, and men of service.”
The pope also emphasized the importance of humility in the role of a cardinal. He said that cardinals must be willing to listen and to learn from others, and that they must be willing to serve in humility.
“A cardinal’s role is not to seek to be served, but to serve,” the pope said. “Cardinals must be willing to get their hands dirty, to roll up their sleeves, and to serve the Lord and his people.”
The new cardinals were ordained in a ceremony that involved the imposition of the biretta, a red hat that is worn by cardinals, and the presentation of the ring, which symbolizes the cardinal’s commitment to the Church.
The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, including heads of state, ambassadors, and other high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church.
The new cardinals come from a variety of backgrounds and have a range of experiences. Some are experienced bishops who have served in leadership roles in their dioceses, while others are younger bishops who are just beginning their careers.
The new cardinals are:
* Archbishop Mario Grech of Malta
* Archbishop Marcello Semeraro of Italy
* Archbishop Antoine Kambanda of Rwanda
* Archbishop Wilton Gregory of the United States
* Archbishop Jose Fuerte Advincula of the Philippines
* Archbishop Celestino Aos Braco of Chile
* Archbishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei
* Archbishop Augusto Paolo Lojudice of Italy
* Archbishop Mauro Gambetti of Italy
* Archbishop Kelvin Edward Felix of Saint Lucia
* Archbishop Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Thailand
* Archbishop Mario Enrique Rizzi of Argentina
* Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi of Italy
* Archbishop Raniero Cantalamessa of Italy
* Archbishop Enrico Feroci of Italy
* Archbishop Eduardo Martinez Somalo of Spain
* Archbishop Jose Saraiva Martins of Portugal
* Archbishop Jorge Medina Estévez of Chile
* Archbishop Darío Castrillón Hoyos of Colombia
* Archbishop Agostino Vallini of Italy
* Archbishop Julian Herranz Casado of Spain
The ordination of the new cardinals brings the total number of cardinals in the Catholic Church to 229. The College of Cardinals is the group of senior bishops who advise the pope and elect his successor.
The ceremony was a significant event in the life of the Catholic Church, and it marked an important milestone in the papacy of Pope Francis. The pope’s emphasis on humility and service reflects his commitment to reforming the Church and to prioritizing the needs of the poor and the marginalized.
