ROME – Pope Francis told the 21 new cardinals he created on Saturday, who come from all over the world, that their diversity is a gift which must contribute to a unified “symphony” of various but united voices capable of credible evangelization.

Speaking to those gathered in St Peter’s Square for the consistory on 30 September, Francis said, “Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable. However, each sound must contribute to the common design.”

“This is why mutual listening is essential: Each musician must listen to the others. If one listens only to himself, however sublime his sound may be, it will not benefit the symphony; and the same would be the case if one section of the orchestra did not listen to the others, but played as if it were alone, as if it were the whole,” he said.