In proposing a reflection on the substance of the ministry of service demanded of the new cardinals, Benedict XVI said: "I would like to summarise the meaning of this new call of yours in the word I placed at the centre of my first Encyclical: caritas. It aptly fits in with the colour of the cardinal’s habit. May the purple you wear be always the expression of the caritas Christi, urging you to a passionate love of Christ, His Church and mankind". Then, Benedict XVI added: "Now you have one more reason to try and relive the same feelings that drove the Son of God made flesh to shed His blood in atonement of the sins of all men". (to be continued)
