Vatican City: During a consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals, Pope Francis delivered a heartfelt message urging them to resist the allure of power and focus instead on walking the path of Christ with humility, joy, and a commitment to unity. The ceremony, held in St. Peter’s Basilica, emphasized the call to prioritize Jesus at the center of their lives and ministry.
The Pope reminded the new cardinals, whose diverse backgrounds reflect the universality of the Church, that their role is not about worldly prestige but about embodying Christ's example of selfless service and communion. “Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was not a climb to earthly glory but to the glory of God,” Pope Francis noted, calling on the prelates to mirror this mindset in their mission.
Drawing from the Gospel of Mark, the Holy Father reflected on Jesus’ ascent to Calvary, a path marked by sacrifice and love, contrasting it with the disciples' misunderstanding of a path to triumph. He cautioned the cardinals against being dazzled by power, prestige, or superficial achievements, urging them instead to examine their hearts and remain grounded in humility.
“Where is my heart going? Have I perhaps taken the wrong road?” Pope Francis asked, challenging the new cardinals to reflect deeply on their intentions and priorities.
The Pope emphasized that the term "Cardinal" itself symbolizes a hinge—something that supports and strengthens. “Jesus is our true support, the ‘center of gravity’ of our service, the ‘cardinal point’ that directs our entire life,” he explained.
Pope Francis highlighted the importance of fostering meaningful connections, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate model of compassion and engagement. “Jesus never walked alone,” the Pope remarked, describing Christ’s ministry as one of healing, hope, and reconciliation. The cardinals were encouraged to emulate this approach, encountering those who are suffering, lost, or burdened.
“On his path, Jesus encountered faces of despair, and he restored hope. He lifted the fallen, healed the sick, and mended broken hearts,” Pope Francis said, urging the new cardinals to carry forward this mission of healing and inclusion.
The Pope also called on the cardinals to be architects of unity within the Church and beyond, warning against divisive attitudes such as competition and hostility. He noted that their varied origins and cultural backgrounds represent the Catholic Church's universal nature and called them to serve as witnesses of fraternity and harmony.
“To walk in the path of Jesus means being builders of communion and unity,” Pope Francis stressed. He quoted St. Pope Paul VI, emphasizing the need for everyone to feel at home within the Church, without exclusion or isolation.
Concluding his message, Pope Francis encouraged the new cardinals to love and serve one another with humility and dedication to the Gospel. “Love one another with fraternal love and be servants to one another, servants of the Gospel,” he urged, reinforcing their calling to reflect Christ’s love in their ministry.
The Pope’s words set a profound tone for the newly elevated cardinals, reminding them of the weight of their responsibilities and the spiritual focus required to fulfill their mission as leaders in the Church.