Vatican City, Oct 21, 2003 / 22:00 pm
Take courage and trust in the promise of Christ. This was the message Pope John Paul II conveyed to his cardinals this morning at a mass celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica.
During the mass, held for the entire College of Cardinals, 30 new cardinals each received their cardinal's ring - "a sign of dignity, solicitude and communion" with the See of Peter. The new cardinals were installed yesterday at the Consistory in St. Peter's Square.
In his homily, the Pope told the cardinals they should not be surprised if they experience fear and discouragement, for Jesus had forewarned his disciples of this. Instead, they should seek comfort in the promise of Christ: "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (Jn 16:33)
Personal prayer, and in particular the prayer of others for us, infuses us with strength and courage, he said. "I have experienced its comfort," he confided.