CARDINALS ARE SERVANTS TO ALL IN ORDER TO FULFILL THEIR MISSION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2003 (VIS) - During a ceremony celebrated in St. Peter's Square this morning, John Paul II created 30 new cardinals from 23 countries in what was the ninth such consistory of his pontificate.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the Pope read the formula for the creation of the new cardinals of the Holy Roman Church. Then newly created Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran thanked the Pope on behalf of all the cardinals. Later the liturgy of the Word was celebrated and the homily was read by Archbishop Leonardi Sandri, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. The Holy Father began by noting that in this consistory he will impose the beret upon 30 "worthy churchmen, keeping 'in pectore' the name of another."

"Enriched by its new members, the College of Cardinals reflects the diversity of races and cultures that characterizes the Christian people, and highlights once again the unity of every part of the flock of Christ with the Seat of the Bishop of Rome."

The Pope affirmed that "in carrying out his ministry, the Successor of the Fisherman of Galilee counts on your faithful cooperation; he asks you to accompany him in prayer, while he invokes the Holy Spirit so that the communion among those whom the Lord 'has elected vicars of His son and has made pastors' may never be broken."

"The deep red of the cardinal's robe evokes the color of blood and recalls the heroism of the martyrs. It is the symbol of love for Jesus and for His Church, a love which knows no limits: love even to the point of sacrificing one's life, 'usque ad sanguinis effusionem'."

"For this reason, the gift that you receive is great, as is the responsibility that it comes with it." After underscoring the duty of "preaching with word and example," the Pope added that "this applies to every pastor, but especially to you, dear and venerated members of the College of Cardinals."

Pointing to the example of Jesus Christ Who became the servant of those around him, the Holy Father emphasized that this "logic" of service is "in clear contrast with that of the world: to die unto oneself in order to become humble and detached servants of your brothers and sisters, rejecting ever temptation to advance your career or benefit personally."

"Only if you become servants to all around you will you fulfill your mission and help the Successor of Peter to be the 'servant of the servants of God,' as my beloved predecessor Gregory the Great loved to call himself."

At the end of the homily, John Paul invited the new cardinals to make a profession of faith and to swear fidelity and obedience to the Holy Father and his successors. Then each cardinal, according to the order of creation, approached the Pope who imposed the biretta on him and handed him the Bull of Creation as cardinal and assignment of the title or diaconate church in Rome, as a sign of participation in the pastoral solicitude of the Pope in the city. After exchanging a sign of peace with the Pope, each new cardinal greeted all the others.

Prayers were offered for the Holy Father, the Church, the new cardinals and for peace during the universal prayer. John Paul II imparted the apostolic blessing upon all and at the end sang the Marian antiphon "Sub tuum praesidium."

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