On October 6, Pope Francis announced that he will create 21 new cardinals. At 87 years old, this move allows him to have a hand in choosing 80% of the cardinals who will eventually elect his successor.
The announcement came at the end of his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square. The ceremony to officially make them cardinals will take place at the Vatican on December 8, during the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
The new cardinals come from six continents, including bishops from Australia, Canada, Indonesia, and Iran. Eleven of them will be from religious orders.
Out of the 21 new cardinals, 20 are under the age of 80, meaning they can vote in a papal conclave. With these new additions, the total number of eligible cardinal electors will rise to 140, exceeding the limit of 120 set by Pope Paul VI in 1975. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI also had more than 120 cardinals during their time.
Among the notable new cardinals is Dominican Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, who was previously sidelined during the papacies of John Paul II and Benedict XVI but has been recognized by Pope Francis for his work in pastoral theology. Another significant name is Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto, Canada, who was appointed to lead Canada’s largest diocese in 2023.
Two officials from the Vatican are also included: Fr. Fabio Baggio, who oversees the migrants and refugees division, and Msgr. George Jacob Koovakad, who organizes papal trips.
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