Pope Francis wasn’t the first pontiff to appoint to the College of Cardinals bishops from non-European, non-traditional locales in terms of Catholicism. He did, however, globalize the college in a way that far exceeds anyone who came before him.
College of Cardinals
Pope Has Named Two-Thirds of Cardinals Eligible To Elect His Successor
Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, the retired archbishop of Naples, celebrated his 80th birthday June 2 and, consequently, became ineligible to enter a conclave to elect a new pope.
Conservative Cardinal Calls for Conclaves to be Limited to Rome-Based Cardinals
German Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, a once influential conservative prelate known to be at odds with several aspects of Pope Francis’s papacy, has asked that the right to vote in a conclave be limited to those residing in Rome.
New Duties Do Not Diminish Call to Evangelize, Pope Tells Cardinals
Jesus’ call to spread the Gospel should fill all Christians, especially those within the church hierarchy, with a sense of wonder and gratitude, Pope Francis said.
New Cardinals Feel Honored, Humbled, Ready to Promote Renewal of Church
Becoming a member of the broad, unique body of the College of Cardinals is both a great honor and an invitation to help promote a renewal of the Catholic Church’s mission of evangelization, some new cardinals said.
Analysis: In Consistory’s Wake, Debunking Three Persistent Myths About Cardinals
On Saturday Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals, including 16 under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote for the next pope. It was Pope Francis’ eighth consistory, and whenever we get a new crop of Princes of the Church, several chronic misconceptions tend to head once more into the breach.
Pope Creates 20 New Cardinals, Including San Diego Bishop
In a ceremony to create 20 new cardinals, Pope Francis encouraged the College of Cardinals to have the same spiritual zeal for all people, whether they are in positions of power or ordinary Christians.
Brief Biographies of the 21 Churchmen Who Will be Made Cardinals Aug. 27
Here are brief biographies of each of the 21 churchmen Pope Francis will induct into the College of Cardinals Aug. 27.
Pope Francis Announces 21 New Cardinals, Including Key Allies
Pope Francis announced on May 29 that he will create 21 new cardinals on Aug. 27, including Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego, long seen as one of his key allies in the United States.
Pope Francis To Offer Prayers for Record Number of Deceased Cardinals, Bishops
Pope Francis will be praying for the eternal repose of more cardinals and bishops at a memorial Mass Nov. 4 than ever before in his papacy.