Pope Benedict XVI has given a pallium to 38 new archbishops from around the world, including Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark and Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham.
Placing the woollen band around their shoulders, Pope Benedict told them it was a Gospel “yoke” – not a heavy burden, he said, but a sign that by remaining united with the Church in faith they would have the strength to face whatever challenges come their way.
The Pope said: “Communion with Peter and his successors, in fact, is the guarantee of freedom for the pastors of the Church and for the communities entrusted to them.”
