VATICAN CITY, NOV. 26, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Here is the translation of the address given by Pope Benedict XVI during this audience with the newly created cardinals who were gathered along with their relatives and pilgrims in Paul VI Hall.
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Lord Cardinals,
Dear Brothers in the Episcopate and the Presbyterate,
Dear Friends!
With a grateful heart to the Lord, we wish to prolong today the sentiments and emotions that we lived yesterday and the day before yesterday, on the occasion of the creation of six new cardinals. They were moments of intense prayer and profound communion, lived in the awareness of an event that concerns the universal Church, called to be a sign of hope for all peoples. So I am happy to welcome you also today, in this simple, family meeting and to express my cordial greeting to the new cardinals, as well as to their relatives, friends and all those accompanying them in this very solemn and important circumstance.
[Translation by ZENIT]The Holy Father addressed the English-speaking Cardinals and their families:
I extend a cordial greeting to the English-speaking Prelates whom I had the joy of raising to the dignity of Cardinal in last Saturday’s Consistory: Cardinal James Michael HARVEY, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls; Cardinal Baselios Cleemis THOTTUNKAL, Major Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankaras (India); Cardinal John Olorunfemi ONAIYEKAN, Archbishop of Abuja (Nigeria); and Cardinal Luis Antonio TAGLE, Archbishop of Manila (Philippines).
I also welcome their family members and friends, and all the faithful who accompany them here today.
The College of Cardinals, whose origin is linked to the ancient clergy of the Roman Church, is charged with electing the Successor of Peter and advising him in matters of greater importance. Whether in the offices of the Roman Curia or in their ministry in the local Churches throughout the world, the Cardinals are called to share in a special way in the Pope’s solicitude for the universal Church. The vivid color of their robes has traditionally been seen as a sign of their commitment to defending Christ’s flock even to the shedding of their blood. As the new Cardinals assume the burden of office, I am confident that they will be supported by your prayers and assistance as they strive with the Roman Pontiff to promote throughout the world the holiness, communion and peace of the Church.
© Copyright 2012 – Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Dear and Venerable Brothers who have come in to form part of the College of Cardinals! Your ministry is enriched by a new commitment in supporting the Successor of Peter in his universal service to the Church. Therefore, while I renew to each of you my most cordial good wishes, I am confident of your support in prayer and your precious help. Continue confidently and strongly in your spiritual and apostolic mission, keeping your gaze fixed on Christ and reinforcing your love for his Church. We can learn this love also from the Saints, who are the most complete realization of the Church: they loved her and, allowing themselves to be molded by Christ, they spent their life totally so that all men would be illumined by the light of Christ that shines on the face of the Church (Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 1). I invoke upon you and upon those present the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and I impart from my heart to you and to all those present a special Apostolic Blessing.
[Translation by ZENIT]
