The realization of the “Ambone”, a sort of new pulpit, in the Duomo of Florence remains an open question. “The jury is not having reached a reasonable unanimity of judgment, held that none of the projects presented is worthy of achievement, while appreciating the efforts and intentions of artists and architects” participants, including Mario Botta, Massimo Lippi and Paul Henry Savelli Zermani.

Pope Benedict XVI has inducted 22 new Catholic churchmen into the elite club of cardinals. Florence Archbishop Giuseppe Betori was among those who were officially elevated to the new role. Betori, 65 next saturday, was Secretary General of the CEI from April 2001 to October 2008 and appointed archbishop of the Tuscan city in September 2008.

To help the Church in its mission the Holy Father announced a consistory for February 18th next, during which he will create 22 new Cardinals. One of them is archibishop of Florence, Italy, Giuseppe Betori.