VATICAN CITY — Marking the 10th anniversary of his election, Pope Francis concelebrated Mass with cardinals resident in Rome in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
The Mass, March 13, was private and the Vatican did not release photos, video or the pope’s homily.
However, according to ANSA, the Italian news agency, the pope noted how cardinals never completely retire and that “even at 80, your advice is always good.”
“May you be enlivened by three feelings: compassion, mercy and tenderness,” ANSA reported the pope as saying. “I always need you and your advice.”
The idea for the morning Mass came from Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, ANSA reported.
The pope also gave the cardinals present at the Mass a copy of “L’Atlante di Francesco. Vaticano e politica internazionale,” (The Atlas of Francis. Vatican and International Policy), a new book in Italian by Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro, director of the Jesuit journal, La Civiltà Cattolica.
The pope’s Twitter account, which also featured a new banner and profile picture, said, “Thank you for having accompanied me with your prayers. Please continue to do so.”
