Pope Picks 21 New Cardinals in Move That Broadens Pool of Who Will Choose His Successor
Pope Francis has appointed 21 new cardinals, significantly expanding the College of Cardinals and further solidifying his influence over the group of church leaders responsible for selecting his future successor. The newly appointed cardinals will receive their red hats during a ceremony called a consistory, scheduled for December 8, which marks the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the beginning of the Christmas season in Rome.
Among the newly appointed cardinals are leaders from several prominent dioceses and archdioceses across South America, including Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. The appointments also include individuals from Asia, Africa, and other regions, reflecting Pope Francis’s emphasis on global representation within the College of Cardinals.
The new cardinals include notable figures such as Monsignor Angelo Acerbi, who at 99 years old will become the oldest cardinal, and Bishop Mykola Bychok, 44, who leads the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Melbourne, Australia, providing Ukraine with its first cardinal. The appointments also include key allies of Pope Francis, such as Rev. Fabio Baggio and Rev. George Jacob Koovakad, who oversee migration and international trips respectively.
This move by Pope Francis is part of his ongoing effort to shift the leadership of the Catholic Church towards a more global outlook, ensuring that Catholic leaders from less represented areas have a voice in significant discussions. The appointments bring the total number of cardinal-electors to 142, significantly increasing the pool of potential successors to the papacy.
