Cardinal Giovanni Coppa took over his titular basilica of St Linus

Yesterday evening (27 Jan 2008), Cardinal Giovanni Coppa, retired apostolic nuncio to the Czech Republic, took over his titular basilica of St Linus in Rome. Photos of the event are available.

Rome (I): Cardinal Giovanni Coppa, 82, was appointed cardinal on 17 Oct 2007 and as his titular basilica, he got the church of St Linus. Cardinal Coppa, apostolic nuncio to Czechoslovakia in 1990-1992 and in 1993-2001 to the Czech Republic, took over the church yesterday at 6.30 pm.

St Linus, patron-saint of the Cardinal Coppa's titular basilica, succeeded St Peter in his office of bishop of Rome and he was thus the 2nd Pope. He is mentioned in the New Testament, 2 Tim 4:21.

Photos were taken by Msgr Frantisek Koutny, vice-rector of the Nepomucenum, Rome.