Vatican City, 13 January 2014 (VIS) –
Published below is the letter sent today by the Holy Father to the
future cardinals to be created on 22 February, whose names were
announced publicly following the Angelus prayer on Sunday.
“Dear brother,
“On the day that your designation as
part of the College of Cardinals is made public, I wish to send you a
cordial greeting along with the guarantee of my closeness and prayer.
It is my hope that, joined with the Church of Rome and “clothed in
the virtues and sentiments of the Lord Jesus”, you may help me with
fraternal efficacy in my service to the Universal Church.
“The cardinalship does not imply
promotion; it is neither an honour nor a decoration; it is simply a
service that requires you to broaden your gaze and open your hearts.
And, although this may appear paradoxical, the ability to look
further and to love more universally with greater intensity may be
acquired only by following the same path of the Lord: the path of
self-effacement and humility, taking on the role of a servant.
Therefore I ask you, please, to receive this designation with a
simple and humble heart. And, while you must do so with pleasure and
joy, ensure that this sentiment is far from any expression of
worldliness or from any form of celebration contrary to the
evangelical spirit of austerity, sobriety and poverty.
“Until we meet, then, on 20 February,
when our two days of reflection on the family commence. I remain at
your disposal and ask you, please, to pray for me and to ask for
prayers on my behalf.
May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin
protect you.”
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