Europe

Pope reminds new cardinals they are not entering ‘a royal court’

Nineteen cardinals told they must put themselves at service of the community

Pope Francis called on the new cardinals to renounce a “worldly mentality” where “rivalry, jealousy and factions” prevail. Photograph: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Paddy Agnew
Mon Feb 24 2014 - 01:00


At the end of a busy Vatican week, Pope Francis yesterday told 19 newly appointed cardinals that they had entered "the Church of Rome, not a royal court". Addressing the cardinals during mass in the Basilica of St Peter's yesterday morning, Pope Francis said:

“A cardinal enters the Church of Rome, not a royal court. May all of us avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favouritism and preferences.”

Three times over this consistory weekend, the pope called on the new cardinals to renounce a “worldly mentality” where “rivalry, jealousy and factions” prevail.

At his midday Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square just minutes after the morning service, he repeated the message: “Those who have been entrusted with a ministry of teaching, of guidance, of administration of the sacraments, should not consider themselves the holders of special powers, not boss men but, rather they should put themselves at the service of the community.”

READ MORE

Many believe that the pope's words were a reference to the climate of rivalry and factional infighting, culminating in the so-called "Vatileaks" scandal of 2012, that marked the latter years of the pontificate of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. Francis's words were all the more poignant because among those to attend Saturday's ceremony for the bestowing of the famous "red hats" was the pope emeritus, Benedict himself.

Surprise
Benedict's surprise presence offered the unprecedented spectacle of two popes, of two men in white, at a major papal rite. Defying those who have speculated that he might not appreciate his predecessor's presence, Pope Francis twice went out of his way during the service to greet Benedict.

As for the new cardinals, named last month, they very much reflect the non-European “imprint” of Francis, with 10 of the 16 elector cardinals coming from outside Europe – three from Latin America, two from Africa, two from Asia, two from Central America and one from North America.

LATEST STORIES