The Venerable English College in Rome welcomed Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald in celebration of him becoming cardinal last October, and for his welcome ceremony at his titular church in Rome.
 
The Cardinal celebrated Mass with the seminary community on Monday 3 February – which also marked the 59th anniversary of his priestly ordination.
 
It was particularly exciting for the Birmingham students in the house to meet Cardinal Fitzgerald, especially Fr Ryan Service, as they share the same birth town - Walsall!
 
Cardinal Fitzgerald is an expert on Christian-Muslim relations and was made Cardinal Deacon of Santa Maria in Portico by Pope Francis. He is now based at a city centre parish in Liverpool.
 
 
Picture caption: Fr Ryan Service, Cardinal Fitzgerald and Ryan Browne, a Portsmouth seminarian.