22 November 2007

CONSISTORY CELEBRATION

On Thursday, November 22, 2007, Ambassador Rooney hosted a reception honoring Cardinal-designate John P. Foley and Cardinal-designate Daniel N. DiNardo.

In addition to the attendance of many family and friends visiting from the United States, several American Cardinals were present to congratulate their American brothers. The Cardinals-designate received congratulatory notes from President George W. Bush which thank them for their "commitment to [their] faith and [their] efforts to share the message of God's love and boundless mercy with others."

On Sunday, November 25, Pope Benedict XVI asked them – and 21 other newly-elevated cardinals – to constantly give their lives for the Church, noting that the crucifix on their new rings symbolizes the surrender they are called to live. The new cardinals come from many countries – two from the United States and Argentina, six from Italy, three from Spain, and one from Mexico, Iraq, Germany, Poland, Ireland, France, Senegal, India, Brazil and Kenya. With the elevation of the twenty-three, the College of Cardinals presently numbers 201 members.