Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he will appoint 21 new cardinals from across the globe in a significant move aimed at shaping the future of the Catholic Church.
The appointments will take place during a consistory, a formal ceremony set for December 8, marking the pope’s 10th such event since his election 11 years ago.
The new cardinals hail from diverse countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Italy, Britain, Canada, and Indonesia. Notably, 20 of them are under the age of 80, making them eligible to vote in the conclave that will one day elect Pope Francis’s successor.
This brings the number of cardinal electors to 140, with almost 80% appointed by Francis, increasing the likelihood that his progressive and inclusive vision for the Church will be maintained.
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Among the new appointees is the youngest, Mykola Bychok, a 44-year-old from Ukraine, while a 99-year-old Italian archbishop has been named in recognition of his service to the Church, though he will not participate in the voting process.
Pope Francis has consistently focused on diversifying the College of Cardinals, prioritizing appointments from countries far from Rome and reducing the European dominance that marked his predecessors’ selections.
His emphasis on cardinals from the global south signals his commitment to a Church more aligned with emerging regions.
With 14 cardinals expected to age out of voting eligibility in 2025, Francis’s appointments continue to reshape the powerful body of cardinals, who not only advise the pope but will eventually select his successor.
This strategy enhances the possibility of continuity in the progressive changes he has initiated within the Church.
