Pope concelebrates Mass with new cardinals, gives them rings

Published: 2007-11-26

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Concelebrating Mass with 23 new cardinals, Pope Benedict XVI gave each of them a gold ring as a symbol of their new bond with Rome. The rings were engraved with the scene of Christ's crucifixion, and the pope told the cardinals it should remind them always "which king you serve" as they assume their new role in the church. The Nov. 25 Mass in St. Peter's Basilica came the day after the pope presided over a consistory to formally create the new cardinals. Among them were U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley, grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, and Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston. The basilica was packed with prelates and pilgrims from around the world, and applause rang out when the pope slipped the ring on each new cardinal's hand. "Receive this ring from the hand of Peter, and know that with the love of the Prince of the Apostles your love toward the church is strengthened," he said.

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