Learn that you have been created "cardinal of the Holy Roman Church" by television, while you are at a friend's house ready to sit at the table.

Monsignor Arrigo Miglio, archbishop emeritus of Cagliari, 80 years old on July 18, still today manifests all the surprise experienced in the late morning of May 29 last. His name was also among the 21 new cardinals that Pope Francis announces at the end of the “Regina Coeli”.

Did you expect this appointment?

“But no, absolutely. I was in Cagliari, I had celebrated Confirmations in the parish of Bonaria, I finished at 11.30 so I said goodbye to Monsignor Baturi and then I went to lunch with friends. While they were preparing, we turned on the TV to watch the Pope's Angelus. We all expected words about the war in Ukraine, about peace. And then what happened happened but I didn't know anything about it. "

What was your first reaction?

“I immediately thought I had misunderstood. Then we went through the entire recording of the Angelus and, yes, that's my name indeed. It was really me. It was a real shock because it was the last thing I imagined ».

This eighth consistory was long overdue but few expected a three-month advance compared to August 27 when Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals, of which 16 "electors" in a future conclave. There will be five new Italian purples, two of which with voting rights.

What will change in your life with the cardinal's hat?

«I still don't know, also because there is this limit of eighty years which is valid not only for a future Conclave, but also for any other assignments. On my agenda there are many commitments that are above all preaching Spiritual Exercises, and it is the type of service and ministry that is a little more congenial to me. Then I honestly don't know if they'll ask me anything else. "

Do you feel you are a cardinal of the Church of Sardinia?

«I would say yes. Because in this land there are the two dioceses I served (Iglesias, from 1992 to 1999, and Cagliari, from 2012 to 2019), in which there are many more ties than with Piedmont, where the roots still remain. I dare not tell myself and call myself "Sardinian", it would perhaps be presumptuous. Certainly, and I always repeat, I feel "adopted" by you ».

A link with the Sardinian Church, and with Cagliari in particular, strengthened by the recent appointment of Monsignor Baturi as general secretary of the Italian Episcopal Conference. How do you read this appointment, what does it represent for Sardinia, for the diocese of Cagliari?

“It is an appointment of the utmost importance. Because all the problems of the Italian Church end up and converge on that table: I personally had to deal with the National Secretariat when I dealt with the "Social Weeks". I realized that everything belongs to the secretary: a structure that, beyond its "corporate" dimension, has the task of maintaining contact with all the Italian bishops. Prestige, undoubtedly, but also a lot of work. But the choice fell on a person who has already been there for 8-9 years, knows very well the "organizational machine" ».

"Sardinian" cardinal with an attentive look at those beautiful figures for whom the journey towards the glory of the altars has begun, some particularly close to her ...

«It is the“ young ”saints who seem to me the most important today and therefore also closest to the last generations. I have followed the diocesan phase of Simona Tronci, I have helped to start the journey that concerns Don Antonio Loi of Decimoputzu, since my first episcopal experience in Iglesias (because he was incardinated priest in that diocese), a beautiful figure of a priest, young, who was unable to exercise the ministry due to illness. And then how can we forget Sister Teresa Tambelli, attending the Navy kindergarten and the "marianelli" group: I realized the impact, first of Blessed Giuseppina Nicoli and then of Sister Teresa, in the social fabric of Cagliari and is still today the great wealth that the Vincentian Sisters are experiencing ».

And then there is still the expectation to see Blessed Fra Nicola da Gesturi as a saint. As a cardinal, can you make your contribution to seeing this canonization, awaited by all of Sardinia?

“If I have the opportunity to collaborate in any way, I will do so very gladly. I hope that this process can be resolved in a positive way, as soon as possible. Poverty and immersion in the midst of the people remain the charisms of this religious order which, from Ignazio da Laconi to the present day, has been able to guarantee a passing of the baton, a "relay" of faith that only gives us hope ».

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