Pope Francis creates cardinals, appeals for peace and against “any discrimination”

David Gibson

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis created his first batch of new cardinals on Saturday (Feb. 22) and used the ceremony – which featured a surprise appearance by Pope Benedict XVI – to launch a new appeal for peace amid the violence racking so many countries.

In his remarks, Francis first focused on the plight of Christians but in an extemporaneous addition to his prepared speech he also called on the church “to fight any discrimination” and “exclusion.”

“The Church needs your compassion, especially at this time of pain and suffering for so many countries throughout the world,” Francis told the 18 new cardinals who were present in St. Peter’s Basilica, along with hundreds of other cardinals and bishops whose colorful vestments and diverse origins offered a grand tableau of global Catholicism.

Adding to the drama of the day, Benedict was an unexpected participant at the ceremony, his first public appearance at a Vatican rite since he resigned the papacy on Feb. 28 last year following years of scandal and dysfunction in the Roman Curia.

http://www.religionnews.com/2014/02/22/pope-francis-creates-cardinals-appeals-peace-discrimination