On October 6, 2024, after leading the faithful in the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis made a significant announcement: the creation of 21 new cardinals. This move not only reflects the universal nature of the Catholic Church but also signals the Pope’s continued effort to elevate diverse voices within the Church hierarchy. The official consistory for the new cardinals will take place on December 8, 2024, in Rome.
A Universal Church in Representation
The newly appointed cardinals come from 18 different countries, emphasizing the Church’s global reach and the Pope’s desire for a diverse leadership. Among the notable appointees is the Archbishop of Toronto, Frank Leo, and Timothy Radcliffe, a prominent British Dominican theologian who has been actively involved in the Synod’s discussions.
Of the 21 new cardinals, only one, former Italian nuncio Angelo Acerbi, is over the age of 80, meaning he will not be eligible to vote in a future conclave. This brings the number of cardinal electors—those eligible to vote for a new pope—to 141, with 115 non-voting cardinals.
Key Appointments from Around the World
Here are some of the key figures from the Pope’s list of new cardinals:
- Angelo Acerbi (Italy) – Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus to the Netherlands.
- Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio (Peru) – Archbishop of Lima.
- Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera (Ecuador) – Archbishop of Guayaquil.
- Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib (Chile) – Archbishop of Santiago.
- Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi (Japan) – Archbishop of Tokyo.
- Pablo Virgilio Siongco David (Philippines) – Bishop of Kalookan.
- Ignace Bessi Dogbo (Ivory Coast) – Archbishop of Abidjan.
- Frank Leo (Canada) – Archbishop of Toronto.
- Rolandas Makrickas (Lithuania) – Coadjutor Archpriest of St. Mary Major.
- Timothy Radcliffe (United Kingdom) – Dominican theologian and preacher.
This latest round of appointments underscores Pope Francis’ commitment to a more inclusive and diverse College of Cardinals, ensuring that the Church’s leadership reflects its universality.
A Historic December Consistory
With the consistory set for December 8, this will mark another important step in Pope Francis’ papacy, as he continues to shape the future of the Catholic Church through these strategic appointments. By bringing together leaders from all corners of the world, the Pope is setting a vision of unity and dialogue, as the Church faces the challenges of the modern world.
Stay tuned for more updates as this historic event unfolds!
