VATICAN - Today, College of Cardinals meets for prayer and reflection on the eve of the Consistory

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On Saturday 24 November, at 10.30, in St Peter's Square the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI will hold a public Consistory for the creation of twenty three new Cardinals (see Agenzia Fides 17/10/2007). On Sunday 25 November, solemnity of Christ the King, at 10.30 in St Peter's Square the Pope will preside Mass concelebrated by the new Cardinals to whom he will consign the ring of the Cardinal.
The ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of 23 new cardinals will be preceded - tomorrow, November 23 - by a meeting of prayer and reflection of the College of Cardinals, to take place in the Vatican’s New Synod Hall. After praying the Middle Hour (Terce), at 9.30 a.m. the Holy Father will greet the cardinals present. Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity will then deliver a report on the theme: ‘Information, reflections and evaluation concerning the current moment in ecumenical dialogue.’ This will be followed by contributions from the cardinals, lasting until 12.30 p.m. “The meeting will resume at 5 p.m. with the celebration of Vespers. Then, following an introduction by the Holy Father, a free exchange of ideas will take place between the cardinals on the life of the Church in general. The day of prayer and reflection will conclude at 7 p.m. with an at 7 p.m. with an address by the Supreme Pontiff.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2007; righe 16, parole 229)