Pope Francis warns newly appointed cardinals against 'intrigue, favouritism'

Australia Network News
February 24, 2014

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-24/an-pope-warns-newly-appointed-cardinals-against-27intrigue2c-/5278406

Pope Francis, who has made simplicity and serving the poor the distinguishing characteristics of his papacy, has told the 19 newly appointed cardinals to shun intrigue, gossip and cronyism.

"A Cardinal... enters the Church of Rome, my brothers, not a royal court," the Pope said during a mass attended by the cardinals named.

"May all of us avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favouritism and partiality."

The admonition came as the Pope is seeking to refashion the image of the Roman Catholic Church, plagued by financial scandals and accusations of covering up child abuse by priests.

A council of cardinals, set up by the Pope to advise him on Vatican reforms, heard a report to reform the Vatican bank and it discussed organisational and economic programs earlier in the week.

"We love... those who are hostile to us; we bless those who speak ill of us; we greet with a smile those who may not deserve it," the pontiff told the newest members of the College of Cardinals.

"We do not aim to assert ourselves; we oppose arrogance with meekness; we forget the humiliations that we have endured."

Pope Francis chose not to move into the official Vatican apartments reserved for the head of the Catholic Church after he took over almost a year ago in a sign of his emphasis on simplicity.

During his traditional general audience on February 12, he had also asked the faithful to stop "twaddling" after Mass, and to stop disrespectfully commenting on the way people dress.

"Sometimes this is done, and it shouldn't be done," he said.

"My brother Cardinals, Jesus did not come to teach us good manners, how to behave well at the table!

"To do that, he would not have had to come down from heaven and die on the Cross," said Pope Francis.

Sunday's Mass was held after a meeting of cardinals from around the world - known as a consistory - to discuss family issues on Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, the pontiff formally appointed the 19 new cardinals - the first of his pontificate.

Nine of the 19 cardinals came from South America, Africa and Asia, a decision that Vatican observers say should help correct a perceived bias towards European cardinals.