Pope Francis on Sunday announced the creation of 21 new cardinals, significantly expanding the College of Cardinals and solidifying his influence on the group responsible for electing his successor, The Associated Press reports.
The ceremony, known as a consistory, will take place on December 8, a significant feast day marking the beginning of the Christmas season in Rome.
The new cardinals represent a diverse range of backgrounds, with a strong focus on South America, a region deeply significant to Pope Francis as the first Latin American pontiff. Among those appointed are the heads of prominent Catholic churches in Santiago del Estero, Argentina; Porto Alegre, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Guayaquil, Ecuador; and Lima, Peru.
In a notable move, Francis appointed two Vatican officials not traditionally considered for cardinal status: Rev. Fabio Baggio, the head of the migrants section within the Vatican development office, and Rev. George Jacob Koovakad, responsible for organizing the Pope’s international trips. This suggests an emphasis on key areas such as social justice and global outreach.
The Pope also recognized the ongoing Synod on Synodality, currently underway at the Vatican, by appointing Rev. Timothy Radcliffe, a British theologian and spiritual advisor for the meeting. This selection reflects the Pope’s commitment to the Church’s ongoing dialogue and reflection on its future direction.
With this latest round of appointments, Pope Francis has now named the majority of the cardinals under 80 years old, who are eligible to participate in a conclave to elect his successor. Before Sunday’s announcement, Francis had already appointed 92 voting-age cardinals, compared to 24 appointed by Pope Benedict XVI and 6 appointed by St. John Paul II. This significant shift in the College of Cardinals highlights the lasting impact of Pope Francis on the future direction of the Catholic Church.
