HOUSTON - During his eight year pontificate, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI maintained a close connection with Texas through its bishops, including Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza and later, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo.
Archbishop Fiorenza met with Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, when the pope bestowed upon him his new pallium after the then-Diocese of Galveston-Houston was elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese.
Pope Benedict XVI later elevated Archbishop Daniel DiNardo to the College of Cardinals two years later in 2007, making him the first Cardinal in Texas and the southern U.S. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo received his red hat from Pope Benedict XVI on Nov. 30, 2007.
Bishops from Texas, including the late Auxiliary Bishop George A. Sheltz, who died in 2021, met with Pope Benedict XVI regularly during their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican.
Pope Benedict XVI greets Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston after bestowing the pallium on the archbishop during a Mass June 29 in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (CNS photo from Catholic Press Photo) (June 30, 2005)
Pope Benedict XVI presents Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston with a pallium during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 29, 2005. The pallium is a symbol of the archbishop's authority and unity with the pope. (CNS photo from Reuters)
Pope Benedict XVI greets Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston after presenting him with the pallium during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 29. (CNS photo by Alessia Giuliani) (June 29, 2005)
Pope Benedict XVI presents a pallium to Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The pallium symbolizes the archbishop's authority and unity with the pope. (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters) (June 29, 2006)
U.S. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston receives the red biretta from Pope Benedict XVI during the consistory in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 24. The pope elevated 23 churchmen from around the world to the rank of cardinal. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters) (Nov. 24, 2007)
Pope Benedict XVI places the red biretta on U.S. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 24. The pope bestowed the title cardinal on 23 churchmen, including two from the U.S., during the ceremony. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Nov. 24, 2007)
Pope Benedict XVI presents a ring to Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 25, 2007.
Pope Benedict XVI greets Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston during a March 15 meeting with Texas bishops at the Vatican. Bishops from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas were making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano) (March 15, 2012)
Pope Benedict XVI greets Auxiliary Bishop-designate George A. Sheltz of Galveston-Houston as Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston looks on during a March 15 meeting with Texas at the Vatican. Bishops from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas were making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano) (March 15, 2012)
