Pope Francis to Create 21 New Cardinals, Shaping the Future of the Catholic Church
Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals from five continents, including bishops from Algiers, Tehran, Tokyo, and Abidjan, on Saturday. This is the tenth consistory since he became pope in 2013, and it marks another significant step in shaping the upper echelons of the Catholic Church in his image.
A More Inclusive and Global Institution
The Argentine pope, the first pontiff from Latin America, has championed a grassroots Church that values its faithful even far from the Vatican. He has sought to promote the clergy of developing countries to the highest ranks, breaking away from the custom of systematically promoting archbishops from large, prestigious dioceses.
Regional Representation
This year, Francis has selected five bishops from Latin America (Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Argentina), and two from Africa (Ivory Coast, Algeria) to become cardinals. The Asia-Pacific region, where Catholicism is growing the fastest, is represented with promotions of the archbishop of Tokyo and the bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melbourne, Australia. Francis has also selected Belgian prelate Dominique Joseph Mathieu, who serves as the archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan in Iran.
The Role of Cardinals
The pope has exclusive responsibility for naming cardinals, the so-called ‘Princes of the Church’, whose role is to assist him in the government or Curia of the Holy See. Some cardinals live in Rome and hold functions within the Curia, but most continue to exercise their ministry in their dioceses.
The Ceremony
Saturday’s ceremony will begin at 4 pm local time (1500 GMT) within the sumptuous St Peter’s Basilica. As is customary, the cardinals-to-be will kneel before Pope Francis to receive their biretta, or square scarlet cap, and a ring. The ceremony will be followed by the traditional "courtesy visit", in which members of the public can meet the new cardinals, who will then gather for a mass Sunday morning at St Peter’s.
A New Era for the Church?
Vatican observers closely scrutinise the list, seeing in it a possible indication of the future priorities and values of the Church’s next leader and its nearly 1.4 billion faithful. Francis has left open the option of resigning, like his predecessor Benedict XVI, should he be unable to carry out his duties. However, despite recurring health issues, he remains very active and said for now he is going nowhere.
Conclusion
Pope Francis’s decision to create 21 new cardinals marks a significant step in shaping the future of the Catholic Church. With nearly 78% of the 140 so-called "elector" cardinals now chosen by him, the pope is consolidating his legacy as the leader of a more inclusive and global institution. The ceremony on Saturday will be a momentous occasion, marking a new era for the Church and its faithful.
FAQs
Q: Who are the new cardinals?
A: The new cardinals include bishops from Algiers, Tehran, Tokyo, and Abidjan, among others.
Q: Why is this significant?
A: This marks a significant step in shaping the future of the Catholic Church, as Pope Francis is choosing nearly 78% of the 140 so-called "elector" cardinals.
Q: What is the role of cardinals?
A: The cardinals are the so-called ‘Princes of the Church’, whose role is to assist the pope in the government or Curia of the Holy See.
Q: What is the significance of the ceremony?
A: The ceremony marks a new era for the Church and its faithful, as Pope Francis is consolidating his legacy as the leader of a more inclusive and global institution.