What's happened
Pope Francis has appointed 21 new cardinals, expanding the College of Cardinals ahead of a future papal conclave. The new members include the oldest cardinal, 99-year-old Angelo Acerbi, and the youngest, 44-year-old Mykola Bychok, reflecting the pope's commitment to global representation within the church. The consistory will take place on December 8, 2024.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Pope Francis's latest appointments significantly increase the size of the College of Cardinals, stating, "This will be the biggest entry of voting-age cardinals into the college in his 11-year pontificate." The Independent emphasizes the political message behind Bychok's nomination, noting it gives Ukraine its only cardinal amid the ongoing war. The New York Times highlights Francis's strategy of diversifying the College, stating he has appointed cardinals from over 20 countries, a move that acknowledges the church's growth outside Europe. The Japan Times adds that Kikuchi, the archbishop of Tokyo, will also be eligible to vote in future conclaves, further expanding the representation of Asian leaders in the church's hierarchy.
How we got here
This announcement follows Pope Francis's ongoing efforts to diversify the College of Cardinals since his election in 2013. The new appointments aim to reflect the growing Catholic populations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, contrasting with the declining influence of European cardinals.
More on these topics
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Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pope from outside Europe since the Syrian Gregory
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State, is the Holy See's independent city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. Vatican City became independent from Italy with the Lateran Treaty, and it is a distinct territory under "full ownership, exclusive domi
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The College of Cardinals, formerly styled the Sacred College of Cardinals, is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church. As of 29 September 2020, its current membership is 219. Cardinals are appointed by the pope for life. Changes in life expectanc