Pope Francis created 19 new cardinals Saturday in a ceremony in the
Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica -- the first such appointments since he
was elected pontiff last March.
The new cardinals come
from countries around the world, hailing from as far afield as Brazil,
Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, South Korea and Haiti.
The pope presented them with the traditional biretta, or red cap, and ring at a formal ceremony called a public consistory.
The scarlet color of the cap symbolizes the cardinals' willingness to die for their faith.
Looking frail, Benedict, the Pope Emeritus, lined up with the existing cardinals for the ceremony in the historic church.
When last year he became
the first pope in almost six centuries to stand down, Benedict said he
would live a life of seclusion and study.
His presence in St.
Peter's Basilica alongside that of Francis and the cardinals who will
one day vote for his successor is a highly unusual event.
Francis spoke
Sixteen of the new
cardinals are under the age of 80, making them eligible to elect a new
pope when the time comes, according to Vatican Radio.
Three of them are over
age 80 and "are chosen for their distinguished service" to the Vatican
and the Roman Catholic Church, it said.
One of those is
98-year-old Archbishop Loris Capovilla, who was the secretary of Pope
John XXIII. He was not present for the ceremony, but will be presented
with his biretta in the coming days.
Two of the newly
appointed cardinals already hold top Vatican positions -- Archbishop
Pietro Parolin is its secretary of state, while Archbishop Gerhard
Mueller is head of the church's chief doctrinal office, the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith.
No Americans were named
among the new members of the college of cardinals, but there is one
Canadian, Quebec Archbishop Gerald Cyprien Lacroix.
Francis: Not a promotion
In a letter sent last month to the chosen clergy, Francis gave some words of advice about remaining humble.
Becoming a cardinal
"does not signify a promotion, an honor nor a decoration: it is simply a
service that demands a broader vision and a bigger heart," he said.
"And, although it seems a
paradox, this ability to look further and love more universally with
greater intensity can be acquired only by following the way of the Lord:
The way of lowliness and of humility, taking the form of a servant."
Commenting last month on
the clergy named by Francis, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi
highlighted the geographical range and diversity of the countries they
come from.
"The choice of cardinals
of Burkina Faso and Haiti shows concern for people struck by poverty,"
he is quoted as saying by Vatican Radio. posted by Emanto Ngaloru Feb 23, 2014.
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