Current:Home > MarketsPope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including prelates based in Jerusalem and Hong Kong-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including prelates based in Jerusalem and Hong Kong
View Date:2024-12-25 00:06:53
Pope Francis on Sunday announced he has chosen 21 new cardinals, including prelates from Jerusalem and Hong Kong — places where Catholics are a small minority — as he continues to leave his mark on the body of churchmen who will select his successor.
The pope announced his picks during his customary weekly appearance to the public in St. Peter's Square, saying the ceremony to formally install the churchmen as cardinals will be held on Sept. 30.
Among those tapped are several prelates holding or about to assume major Vatican posts, including the archbishop from La Plata, Argentina, Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, whom the pope just named to lead the Holy See's powerful office for ensuring doctrinal orthodoxy and overseeing processing of allegations of sexual abuse against clergy worldwide.
The new cardinals also include Hong Kong Bishop Stephen Sau-yan Chow and the Vatican's top official in the Middle East, Monsignor Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Those two churchmen guide flocks in geopolitical areas of keen concern to the Vatican.
On Sunday, in remarks preceding his reading out of the list of new cardinals, Pope Francis expressed hope that Israeli and Palestinian authorities would take up "direct dialogue" to end the "spiral of violence" - a reference to recent deadly clashes.
For decades, the Vatican and China have experienced tensions alternating with improvement of relations over the Communist-led nation's insistence that it has the right to appoint bishops and the jailing of priests who professed loyalty to the pope.
Cardinals serve as advisers to the pontiff on matters of teaching and administration, including the Vatican's scandal-plagued finances. But their most crucial duty is gathering in a secret conclave to elect the next pontiff. Francis has named numerous batches of new cardinals in his 10-year papacy. That means, increasingly, the men who will vote for whoever succeeds him, in the event of his resignation or death, are churchmen supportive of his values, priorities and perspectives.
Other churchmen chosen to receive the cardinal red include those from Cape Town, South Africa; Juba, South Sudan, which the pope visited earlier this year on a pilgrimage; Penang, Malaysia; and Lodz, Poland.
Eighteen of the 21 new cardinals are younger than 80 and would be eligible to vote in a conclave.
The 86-year-old pontiff was hospitalized last month after undergoing abdominal surgery, with the surgeon who performed the operation saying Francis "will be able (to carry out his duties) better than before because he no longer will have the discomfort."
Francis is scheduled to head to Portugal at the start of August and Mongolia at the end of that month.
- In:
- Pope Francis
veryGood! (76311)
Related
- One person is dead after a shooting at Tuskegee University
- Americans’ inflation-adjusted incomes rebounded to pre-pandemic levels last year
- Wife of California inmate wins $5.6 million in settlement for strip search
- Arizona’s ban on transgender girls playing girls’ school team sports remains blocked, court says
- Detroit-area police win appeal over liability in death of woman in custody
- Chipotle uses memes for inspiration in first-ever costume line with Spirit Halloween
- What can you do when leaders are tolerant of demeaning workplace behavior? Ask HR
- Tyreek Hill: What to know about Dolphins star after clash with Miami police
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- Colorado man found dead at Grand Canyon is 15th fatality there this year, NPS says
Ranking
- 'Survivor' 47, Episode 9: Jeff Probst gave players another shocking twist. Who went home?
- Dakota Johnson Thought Energy Drink Celsius Was, Um, a Vitamin—And the Result Is Chaos
- Man charged in random Seattle freeway shootings faces new charges nearby
- Shaq calls Caitlin Clark the 'real deal,' dismisses Barkley comments about pettiness
- Brands Our Editors Are Thankful For in 2024
- Wife of California inmate wins $5.6 million in settlement for strip search
- Death of 3-year-old girl left in vehicle for hours in triple-digit Arizona heat under investigation
- Highlights as Bill Belichick makes 'Manningcast' debut during Jets vs. 49ers MNF game
Recommendation
-
Stock market today: Asian stocks dip as Wall Street momentum slows with cooling Trump trade
-
Who is David Muir? What to know about the ABC anchor and moderator of Harris-Trump debate
-
Beyoncé talks music, whiskey, family — and why no 'Cowboy Carter' visuals — in GQ
-
SpaceX launches a billionaire to conduct the first private spacewalk
-
Missouri prosecutor says he won’t charge Nelly after an August drug arrest
-
Beyoncé snubbed with no nominations for CMA Awards for 'Cowboy Carter'
-
Black Eyed Peas to debut AI member inspired by 'empress' Taylor Swift at Vegas residency
-
'American Ninja Warrior' Vance Walker on grueling back-to-back victories: 'So difficult'