Vatican City, Mar 26, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Earlier today, Pope Benedict XVI met with the 15 new cardinals created in last Friday’s Ordinary Public Consistory. During the meeting, he particularly greeted the English-speaking prelates and promised more meetings with the College of Cardinals, similar to last Thursday’s day of prayer and reflection.
Speaking on the need for collaboration, the Holy Father said that “the meetings of the entire College of Cardinals with Peter's Successor, such as that of last Thursday, will continue as privileged moments to seek together how best to serve the Church, entrusted by Christ to our care."
In addition, he extended his “warm greetings” to “the newly created English-speaking Cardinals. They include, Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, the Philippines; Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop of Seoul, Korea; Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Boston, United States of America; Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, SDB Bishop of Hong Kong, China; and Cardinal Peter Dery, Archbishop Emeritus of Tamale, Ghana.
“Venerable and dear Brothers,” he said, “in renewing to you my fraternal greetings and offering my fervent prayers for the mission that has been entrusted to you for the service of the universal Church, I once again commend you to the protection of Mary, Mother of the Church.”
He likewise extended greetings to “the family members and friends of our newly created Cardinals, together with the lay faithful, who have accompanied them to Rome for the solemn celebrations of last Friday and Saturday.
He said he hoped that their time in the Eternal City would deepen their “love of the Church and strengthen [their] faith in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.”
He also encouraged them “to continue to pray for our Cardinals and to support them with your love and affection,” closing with the wish that “God Bless you all!”