February 19, 2012. (Romereports.com) During the Sunday Angelus, the pope reminded that this weekend, 22 new cardinals were created, and he explained why they dress in red. “From now on, they devote even more to work with me in governing the universal Church, and to be witness to the Gospel to the point of sacrificing their own life: this is the meaning of the red color in their clothes”, said the Pope.


He also said the new cardinals have not come to be served but rather to serve others.

The Angelus coincided with the feast of the “Chair of St. Peter” and the pope explained that the “chair” is the place from which the bishop presides at ceremonies and teaches Catholics. This also is where the name “cathedral” comes from.

Benedict XVI
“The Chair of Peter is a sign of authority, but the authority of Christ, which is based in faith and love.”

Tomorrow the pope will meet with the families of the new cardinals. It will be the last meeting related to them, an event that has attracted thousands of people to Rome.

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