On Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., His Eminence Cardinal François-Xavier BUSTILLO, OFM Conv., Bishop of Ajaccio, France, took possession of the Cardinal Title of Santa Maria Immacolata di Lourdes a Boccea located in Rome’s Aurelio neighborhood.
The Cardinal Title is the bond that unites each cardinal to a church in the city of Rome or to a suburban diocese, regardless of whatever ecclesiastical office he may hold in the city or in different parts of the world. The Cardinal Title was assigned the moment our confrere was created a cardinal by the Pontiff himself, through a papal bull written on parchment. At that time, the bull was shown and read to the faithful by one of the Papal Masters of Ceremonies.
Cardinal BUSTILLO took possession of the Cardinal Title through a simple and meaningful ceremony. The event was attended by priests, men and women religious, the faithful of the parish, diplomatic officials and representatives of the clergy of Ajaccio. Some of the cardinal’s confreres were also present, namely, His Eminence Cardinal Friar Mauro GAMBETTI, OFM Conv., Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica; Friar Maurizio DI PAOLO, Procurator General; Friar Vincenzo COSATTI, Superior of the Vatican College of Penitentiaries; and Friar Valdo NOGUEIRA, Vice Postulator General.
In his homily, Cardinal BUSTILLO underlined three words from the Gospel passage about the Good Shepherd: listening, loving, and giving one’s life, while at the same time serving the Apostolic See and one’s diocese. At the end of the ceremony, refreshments prepared by the parish community were served. The moment gave everyone an opportunity to greet the newly appointed cardinal, who greatly appreciated the presence of his confreres.
Friar Maurizio DI PAOLO, Procurator General
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