"The mother Church, the bride of Christ, gives you this insignia added Benedict XVI in remembrance of its Spouse, who loved it and gave Himself up for it. Thus, by wearing the cardinal’s ring, you are constantly called to give your life for the Church". Also "in Paul’s view explained the Pope, commenting the Letter to the Colossians the cross is set within the whole economy of salvation, in which Jesus’ royalty is deployed in all of its cosmic vastness". This text by the Apostle expresses, according to the Pontiff, "such a powerful synthesis of such truth and faith that we cannot but be amazed by it. The Church is the repository of the mystery of Christ: it is so in a deeply humble manner and without a shadow of pride or arrogance, because that is the greatest gift it has ever received without any merit and that it is called to offer freely to the men of all times, as a horizon of meaning and salvation". In other words, "it is not a philosophy, it is not a gnosis, although it also encompasses wisdom and knowledge. It is the mystery of Christ; it is Christ Himself, the ‘Logos’ made flesh, dead and resurrected, made King of the Universe". Before the "glory of this Revelation", the cardinals’ task is to "announce to the world the truth of Christ, the hope of every man and of the whole human family". (continued)
