Pope meets archbishops, after pallium

(June 30, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday expressed his spiritual closeness and his prayerful support to all the 40 metropolitan archbishops, on whom he conferred the pallium in St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday - the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. Meeting the whole group of prelates with their families and friends in Vatican’s Audience Hall, the Pope said it gives him the opportunity to renew his cordial greetings to his brothers in the Episcopate, as well as to their families and friends, who participated in the happy event.
Among the 40 archbishops from 27 nations who received the pallium, two were from India. Archbishop Thumma Bala of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh , personally received the pallium from the Pope on Wednesday, whereas Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar was absent and hence will receive it in India. Pope Benedict concluded the meeting giving thanks to the Lord, who in his infinite goodness, he said - never fails to give pastors to the Church. Then he once again assured all the prelates of his spiritual closeness and his prayerful support in their pastoral service. He urged them to be inseparably united to Christ’s love, to stay by his cross with courage and give firm testimony of his teachings.