ORDINARY PUBLIC CONSISTORY
FOR THE CREATION OF NEW CARDINALS

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE CELEBRATION

St Peter's Square
Saturday, 24 November 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Welcome here in this Square! Thank you for your presence. We feared the rain, and this is why we were inside the Basilica. You have been courageously present here, you have prayed with us. I thank you for your prayerful presence, for your participation in this important step of the Catholic Church. The new Cardinals reflect the universality of the Church, her catholicity. The Church speaks all languages, embraces all peoples, all cultures. All together we form God's family. And as a family we are gathered here and praying that the Lord will bless these new Cardinals at the service of you all. And we pray that Our Lady will accompany us step by step.

I wish you all a good Sunday and a good return trip. Thank you for coming. Good-bye and have a good day!

© Copyright 2007 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana