Really, how surprised could Omella have been if most of his predecessors also got the red hat? It isn't quite the same as somebody like Joseph Tobin being picked from someplace like Indianapolis with no precedence as a cardinal's see. I'll bet he was legitimately flabbergasted.

Pomp and circumstance aside, cardinals have only one job and that's to elect the next pope. As long as they get that right, none of the other stuff matters. Prayers go up for Cardinal-designate Omella and all those who will one day be charged with that important task.