Cardinal-designate Mario Zenari who is apostolic nuncio to Syria has said the Pope's decision to make him a cardinal was a "gesture of love" for Syrian martyrs.
He has said that by choosing to give him a red cardinal's hat, Pope Francis was honouring the people and the steadfast presence of a papal representative in the war-torn nation.
"It's a gesture of love for the martyred Syrian population and it is also a gesture of supporting diplomacy," Cardinal-designate Zenari told SIR, the news agency of the Italian bishops' conference.
