Surprise! Today Card. Scola of Milan received his pallium from Benedict XVI (Catholic Caucus)

WDTPRS ^ | September 21, 2011 | Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

[NYer]

I saw in the Bolletino today that at Castel Gandolfo Pope Benedict XVI imposed the pallium today on Angelo Card. Scola, the new Archbishop of Milan.

In the normal course of events, the Pope gives the pallium to newly appointed archbishops on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter’s in Rome.

The Pope can give the pallium to whom it pleaseth His Holiness of Our Lord to do so. The Pope can choose when and where to do this.

This unusual move, however, underscores the importance of the Archdiocese of Milan. The imposition also could have been accelerated by the fact that this was a Cardinal Patriarch of Venice moved to be Archbishop of Milan. The dignity of those offices could suggest a different schedule. Also, it may say something about what Benedict thinks about Card. Scola.

Finally, and I don’t have any information or insight on this, there may be something going on in Milan or the province which could require Card. Scola to fill his role as Metropolitan. In that case, it would be handy if he had his pallium.

UPDATE 1401 GMT:

I checked the website of the Archdiocese of Milan and found that today was also the 20th anniversary of Card. Scola’s consecration as a bishop.

UPDATE 1450 GMT:

A friend sent a shot of his invitation to the event.

[NYer]

Ping!