Rome is set to witness the appointment of twenty-one new cardinals during a consistory scheduled to take place at the Vatican in late September. Pope Francis made the announcement following the Angelus on Sunday (July 9), as reported by German news agency dpa.
A total of eighteen out of the twenty-one cardinals would be eligible to participate in a papal conclave to select the next pope, as they are all under the age of eighty – the maximum age limit.
Pope Francis, while announcing the appointments, highlighted the fact that “their diverse origins represent the universal nature of the Church, which continues to share God’s merciful love with people from all corners of the globe.”
Among the newly appointed cardinals is Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang (pictured), along with Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez from Argentina, Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost (originally from the United States), and Italian Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti.
Other notable figures on the list include Bishop Stephen Chriw Sau-yan of Hong Kong, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town.
This selection reflects Pope Francis’ emphasis on promoting clergymen from non-European countries, while also showcasing his own Argentine heritage.
The consistory, marking the official ceremony for the appointments, is scheduled to take place on September 30. – Bernama-dpa
Credit: The Star : News Feed
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