Pope Francis on Sunday introduced that he would elevate 21 churchmen to the excessive rank of cardinal, once more placing his mark on the group that can sooner or later select his successor after his demise or resignation.
The ceremony to put in them, often known as a consistory, might be held on Sept. 30, the 86-year-old Francis introduced throughout his midday prayer to pilgrims and vacationers in St. Peter’s Square.
Eighteen of the churchmen are below 80 and can be capable to enter an eventual conclave to decide on the subsequent pope. The different three, who’re over 80 and too outdated to vote in a conclave, had been named to thank them for his or her lengthy service to the Church.
All cardinals, no matter their age, are allowed to participate in pre-conclave conferences often known as General Congregations, giving them a say in the kind of particular person they assume their youthful brother cardinals ought to select.
The new cardinals come from international locations together with the United States, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong, Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Portugal. Three of the brand new cardinals had been lately named as heads of main Vatican departments, together with Argentine Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the Vatican’s doctrinal division.
Another important appointment was that of Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan of Hong Kong. Chow is among the main hyperlinks to the Catholic Church in communist China, the place the Vatican is making an attempt to enhance situations for Catholics. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
