Pope decries 'virus' of polarization over race, faith
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis warned against what he called a "virus of polarization" and hostility in the world targeting people of different nationalities, races or beliefs, as he led a ceremony Saturday giving the Roman Catholic Church 17 new cardinals from six continents.
The consistory ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica formally inducted the churchmen into the cardinals' ranks.
Francis used his homily to also caution the new "princes of the church," as cardinals are sometimes called, to guard against animosity creeping into the church as well, saying "we are not immune from this."
The pope spoke of "our pitiful hearts that tend to judge, divide, oppose and condemn" and cautioned somberly against those who "raise walls, build barriers and label people."
