VATICAN - THE POPE GRANTS SPECIAL AUDIENCE TO NEW CARDINALS, THEIR FAMILIES AND ACCOMPANYING CATHOLICS: “AS I RENEW MY WARM GREETINGS AND GOOD WISHES FOR THE MISSION ENTRUSTED TO YOU AT THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH I WISH TO ENTRUST YOU AND YOUR MINISTRY TO THE HEAVENLY PROTECTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ”

Vatican City (Fides Service) – Pope John Paul II granted a special audience to the new Cardinals, their families and accompanying Catholics on 23 October in the Paul VI Audience Hall. The Holy Father greeted the Cardinals in Italian, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Polish, congratulating them and wishing them well for their ministry. He said “I greet the new English-speaking Cardinals with the pilgrims who have accompanied them to Rome. May your time in the City of the Apostles confirm you in faith, hope and love. I cordially bless all of you.”
The Holy Father closed his address as follows: “Dearest and venerable Brothers! As I renew my warm greetings and good wishes for the mission entrusted to you at the service of the Church I wish to entrust you and your ministry to the heavenly protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May Saints Peter and Paul intercede for you. With these sentiments I gladly impart my Blessing on you and those gathered around you with joy and affection and all whom you will encounter in your pastoral ministry.”

(Fides Service 23/10/2003 – lines 12; words 177)