At 9:00am today, in the Synod Hall at the Vatican, the newest Consistory, which has gathered the College of Cardinals with the Holy Father, began. The work of this Consistory - which includes those who will also be created Cardinals during the Ordinary Public Consistory which will be held this coming Saturday - will take place during the period of two days, today and tomorrow, with sessions beginning at 9:00am and 5:00pm each day.
This morning, after the reciting of the liturgical Hour of Terce and introductory remarks by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, His Eminence, Angelo Sodano, the Pope spoke to the Cardinals who were present.
Dear brothers,
How beautiful and how sweet it is when brothers live together (Psalm 133:1).
With these words from the Psalm, we give praise to the Lord who has convoked and who gives the grace of welcoming in this assembly the twenty (20) new Cardinals. To them and to all of you, I wish to present my cordial greetings. Welcome to this communion, which is expressed in collegiality.
Thank you to all those who have prepared this event, especially His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. I also wish to thank the Commission of nine Cardinals and His Eminence, Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, its coordinator. I also thank His Excellency, Marcello Semeraro, Secretary of the Commission of nine Cardinals: it is he who will present today the synthesis of work which has been done in these most recent months in order to elaborate onthe new Apostolic Constitution for the reform of the Curia. As you know, this synthesis was based on many suggestions, including those received from the heads of and those responsible for the Dicasteries, as well as from experts in the field.
The goal we want to reach is always to promote greater harmony in the work of the various Dicasteries and Offices, in order to bring about a more efficient collaboration in the absolute transparency which builds authentic synodality and collegiality.
This reform is not an end in itself, but a means toward furnishing a strong Christian witness; in order to favour more efficient evangelization; to promote a deeper ecumenical spirit; and to encourage more constructive dialogue with all people. This reform, strongly advocated for by the majority of the Cardinals during the General Congregations which preceded the most recent Conclave, will further perfect the identity of the Roman Curia which assists the Successor of Peter in the exercise of his supreme pastoral office for the good of and in service to the universal Church and each of the particular Churches. It therefore strengthens the unity in faith and the communion between the people of God and promotes the mission of the Church in the world.
Certainly, achieving this goal is not easy: it requires time, determination and above all the collaboration of all those involved. But in order to achieve this goal, we must first rely on the Holy Spirit, who is the true leader of the Church, imploring in prayer the gift of authentic discernment.
In this spirit of collaboration, our meeting begins. It will be fruitful thanks to the contributions that each of us will express with paresia - holy courage, in faithfulness to the Magesterium and knowing that everything that happens contributes to the supreme law, that is to say the salus animarum. Thank you.
This morning, after the reciting of the liturgical Hour of Terce and introductory remarks by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, His Eminence, Angelo Sodano, the Pope spoke to the Cardinals who were present.
Address of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
to the College of Cardinals
at the beginning of the Consistory
Dear brothers,
How beautiful and how sweet it is when brothers live together (Psalm 133:1).
With these words from the Psalm, we give praise to the Lord who has convoked and who gives the grace of welcoming in this assembly the twenty (20) new Cardinals. To them and to all of you, I wish to present my cordial greetings. Welcome to this communion, which is expressed in collegiality.
Thank you to all those who have prepared this event, especially His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. I also wish to thank the Commission of nine Cardinals and His Eminence, Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, its coordinator. I also thank His Excellency, Marcello Semeraro, Secretary of the Commission of nine Cardinals: it is he who will present today the synthesis of work which has been done in these most recent months in order to elaborate onthe new Apostolic Constitution for the reform of the Curia. As you know, this synthesis was based on many suggestions, including those received from the heads of and those responsible for the Dicasteries, as well as from experts in the field.
The goal we want to reach is always to promote greater harmony in the work of the various Dicasteries and Offices, in order to bring about a more efficient collaboration in the absolute transparency which builds authentic synodality and collegiality.
This reform is not an end in itself, but a means toward furnishing a strong Christian witness; in order to favour more efficient evangelization; to promote a deeper ecumenical spirit; and to encourage more constructive dialogue with all people. This reform, strongly advocated for by the majority of the Cardinals during the General Congregations which preceded the most recent Conclave, will further perfect the identity of the Roman Curia which assists the Successor of Peter in the exercise of his supreme pastoral office for the good of and in service to the universal Church and each of the particular Churches. It therefore strengthens the unity in faith and the communion between the people of God and promotes the mission of the Church in the world.
Certainly, achieving this goal is not easy: it requires time, determination and above all the collaboration of all those involved. But in order to achieve this goal, we must first rely on the Holy Spirit, who is the true leader of the Church, imploring in prayer the gift of authentic discernment.
In this spirit of collaboration, our meeting begins. It will be fruitful thanks to the contributions that each of us will express with paresia - holy courage, in faithfulness to the Magesterium and knowing that everything that happens contributes to the supreme law, that is to say the salus animarum. Thank you.
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