On the color red:

Benedict XVI once more talked about the Consistory and the “spiritual richness of collegiality” in “being among brothers of different origin, all sharing a common love for Christ and for his Church”. But he dwelt especially on a “providential coincidence”: 24 March, the day he conferred the red hat on 15 bishops and archbishops, was the day of prayer and fasting for missionary martyrs, “who in the past year fell on the frontline of evangelization and in the service of mankind in different parts of the world”. He said: “The Consistory was an opportunity to feel closer than ever to all those Christians who suffer persecution because of their faith. Their witness, which we are informed of daily, and above all the sacrifice of those who were killed, are edifying for us and urge us to an ever more sincere and generous Gospel commitment.” The pope also recalled that the red colour of the Cardinal’s vestments, “the colour of blood”, indicated the “fidelity” and readiness of cardinals to spread the Gospel “to the point of sacrificing one’s life”.