Vatican: Rwandan Clergyman officially enthroned Cardinal by Pope Francis, vows to respect Catholic Church rules
The Archbishop of Kigali, Cardinal Kambanda Antoine, was coronated by Pope Francis as the new Cardinal in the Catholic Church at a ceremony held at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.
The ceremony, presided over by Pope Francis, took place at 5pm on Saturday. It was attended by regular Cardinals and 11 new cardinals out of 13 appointed by Pope Francis on October 25, 2020.
Those who failed to attend the ceremony due to COVID 19 are Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei and Jose Fuerte Advincula of the Philippines.
At the coronation of the Cardinals, each of them, testified in faith to the Catholic Church, concluding by swearing before Pope Francis, that he would fulfil his duties, that he would respect the rules of the Catholic Church and that he would never break the secrets of those who would come to him in Penance and elsewhere.
After the oath, everyone would go in front of the Pope, kneel and wear a red helmet and a ring.
Kambanda was the third of the 11 to be given his clothes and then, like the others, the Pope told them that they should always be dressed well.
Pope Francis explained to the new Cardinals the responsibilities that await them, how the Christian journey requires staying in the line of call, that the red robes they wear represent the blood of Jesus and that they must always act like Him, by redeeming the Earth where necessary.
There are now 229 Cardinals, 128 of whom can elect a new Pope.