It was a great honor and joy to participate as the Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Serbia, accompanied by Embassy Counsellor Stefano Podavini, in the Consistory celebrated by His Holiness Pope Francis in the magnificent setting of St. Peter’s Basilica. The ceremony was attended by over 5,500 faithful who witnessed the creation of 21 new Cardinals, including HE Archbishop Ladislav Nemet, S.V.D., Archbishop of Belgrade. This historic moment marked the appointment of the first Serbian Cardinal in the history of the Church, with the title of St. Mary Stella Maris. Following the ceremony, the newly appointed Cardinals greeted their families and friends in the Apostolic Palace during the traditional “courtesy visits.” The celebrations continued the next day, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, with a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The service was presided over by Pope Francis, joined by the new Cardinals and the College of Cardinals.